Amid heightened immigration policies and enforcement under President Donald Trump's administration, a collective of Arizona immigration attorneys is working tirelessly to support undocumented and mixed-status families facing the threat of deportation. According to a Phoenix New Times report , these legal professionals—a blend of lawyers, paralegals, and community organizers—are veterans of the battles against former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona's "show me your papers" law, Senate Bill 1070. However, with the federal government intensifying its crackdown, these advocates see the current situation as an unprecedented struggle.

Standing as a bulwark against fear and uncertainty, Ray A. Ybarra Maldonado of Ybarra Maldonado Law Group and Francisco X. Aguirre from Beyond Attorneys are enduring long, taxing hours to quickly respond to the influx of calls from concerned immigrants. Aguirre has been reported to work from the early hours before dawn to late in the evening to manage the surging caseload. The volume of executive orders from the Trump administration allows barely any room for these stalwarts to momentarily catch their breath.

These advocates remain vigilant in discovering legal protections that might let many stay in the United States, unearthing avenues such as U Visas or deferred action for clients unaware of their eligibility. Challenges, however, are significant. The cost of legal representation poses a major barrier for undocumented immigrants, with Francisco X. Aguirre highlighting the urgent need for families to prepare for the worst. "Make a list of names, bank accounts, emergency contacts, and your kids’ schools, and leave it with a documented person you trust," Aguirre told Phoenix New Times .

The fight stretches beyond courtrooms and legal paperwork, with community-focused groups such as Aliento AZ providing educational and mental health support. José Patiño of Aliento emphasized the sobering reality that some children have begun to unenroll from schools due to the pervasive fear, as reported by the Phoenix New Times . In contrast to this grassroots endeavor, the Department of Justice has been threatening to duly prosecute state and local officials who do not comply with federal immigration commands.

In response to the Department's threats, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has expressed his disapproval of the politicization around immigration enforcement. "As a local county sheriff, I don’t need Washington to tell me what to do," Nanos stated to 13 News , emphasizing his office's limited resources in conducting operations. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes have also voiced their intent to challenge federal directives they view as overreaching, with Mayes specifically condemning potential mass deportations and family separations.