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Tucson Council Unanimously Opposes Marana ICE Detention Center, Copper World Mine

Tucson Council Unanimously Opposes Marana ICE Detention Center, Copper World Mine

TUCSON — The Tucson City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to oppose a proposed federal immigration detention facility in Marana and 7-0 to oppose the Hudbay Minerals Copper World open-pit mine in the Santa Rita Mountains, while also approving a parking rate increase projected to generate $3.6 million annually and rezoning a former elementary school site for 63 new homes.

ICE Detention Center Opposition

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 24116, opposing the conversion of the former state prison in Marana into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. Mayor Regina Romero said she placed the item on the agenda because she "was not willing to take this sitting down without saying how much I am opposed to these ICE detention facilities."

Council member Schubert drew on local history in remarks before the vote, citing the Japanese American internment, the demolition of Mexican American neighborhoods during urban renewal in the 1960s, and the 2010 ban on TUSD's Mexican American studies program. "The ICE detention center in Marana should not even be a discussion. But here we are," Schubert said. Council member Dahl called the facility a "concentration camp in Pima County" and said, "We have to say no." The resolution passed 7-0.

Multiple members of the public addressed the council on the item during call to the audience, including immigration attorney Alba Jaramillo, who described a Tucson asylum seeker she said was beaten by 15 ICE agents, detained at Florence, denied medical treatment, and pressured to sign self-deportation papers. Representatives from Pima Resist ICE, Scholarships AZ, and Indivisible Tucson also spoke in support of the resolution.

Copper World Mine Opposition

In a separate 7-0 vote, the council adopted Resolution 24114 opposing Hudbay Minerals' proposed Copper World copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountain Range. Mayor Romero said the council has been "very clear and consistent on this issue" and noted the vote was brought forward in part to formally include two newer council members in the position. "We oppose open pit mining in the Santa Rita Mountains because of what it means to Tucson's future, especially when it comes to our water, our environment, our cultural and natural resources," Romero said. Vice Mayor Santa Cruz said the vote "aligns with how we've consistently shown up in protecting our precious resources here in Southern Arizona."

Street Racing Deaths Prompt Public Outcry

Two members of the same family addressed the council, calling for stronger anti-street-racing laws following the April 10 death of a 3-year-old girl, identified as Anna, whose family car was split in half by street racers on a public road. The child's father, who identified himself as Emmanuel Garcia, told the council his pregnant wife and unborn child survived but his daughter did not. "Right now, the consequences for street racing are not strong enough to stop it," he said. "This is about prevention. This is about making sure another parent doesn't have to stand where I'm standing."

The child's aunt said the family was launching a petition called "Anna's Law," calling for stronger penalties and mandatory consequences for street racers. A third speaker, Savannah Salazar, said her brother-in-law Oscar Salazar was killed December 7, 2025, by a speeding driver on 6th Avenue. She said the driver was released within hours after bail was reduced. "So far, just halfway into 2026, four people have lost their lives due to street racing," Salazar said, urging the council to add traffic signals along 6th Avenue near high-frequency racing corridors.

Parking Rate Increase Approved 7-0

The council unanimously approved changes to Park Tucson parking rates, pulling the item from the consent agenda for separate discussion. Council member Schubert clarified the vote covered only rate increases and not proposed extensions to Sunday hours or 10 p.m. closing, which she said had been removed from the proposal. Mayor Romero said Park Tucson is currently operating with a roughly $550,000 deficit and that the approved rate changes are projected to generate approximately $3.6 million annually. "Park Tucson's objective is parking management and not revenue generation," Schubert said, adding that the revenue would be used to eliminate the deficit, repair broken meters — approximately 500 of 1,800 are currently non-functional — and improve safety. A 4th Avenue business owner, Jasmine Pierce, told the council her district has 97% less parking than Downtown Tucson and fewer than 400 spaces, and asked the council to remove time caps and not extend meter days and hours for the 4th Avenue district.

Former Lyon School Rezoned for 63 Homes

The council approved a rezoning of 10.02 acres at 7555 East Dogwood Street — the site of the former Lyon Elementary School, which closed in 2013 — from Suburban Ranch to R-2 residential, paving the way for approximately 63 single-family homes. Developer KB Home and applicant attorney Carrie Silvan appeared with representatives from Tucson Unified School District and Rick Engineering. Council member Dahl, whose Ward 4 covers the area, said the Groves Lincoln Neighborhood Association fully supported the project. Silvan said the neighborhood reception was unusual: "I've never been to a neighborhood meeting where not only were they excited about this infill project, they were encouraging KB Homes to take a look at the state land next door." The motion passed unanimously.

FY2027 Budget Public Hearing Held; No Vote Required

City Manager presented a summary of the recommended Fiscal Year 2027 general fund budget, projecting total revenues of approximately $757.6 million. The city is on track to end FY2026 with a $1.6 million shortfall — down from a projected $43 million gap — and an available cash balance of approximately $160.8 million, above the city's policy reserve. The FY2027 recommended budget includes full funding for 50 additional police officers, employee investment plan costs of $18.1 million, free transit, and no closure of fire stations, pools, or recreation centers. The city manager noted Arizona's flat income tax has reduced city revenues by approximately $40 million annually. A tentative budget adoption is scheduled for May 19, with final adoption set for June 9. No council action was taken Tuesday.

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