Pima County Sheriff Chris NanosĀ
Nanos transparent, accessible
Sheriff Chris Nanos is elected, not appointed. He is therefore responsible to the voters, and only we should be able to remove or replace him. In my personal experience Nanos is responsive to citizen concerns, open and accessible. When a group of us met with him to discuss community concerns he provided his cell phone to the groupĀ ā not a gimmick, his real numberĀ ā because he knows he is beholden to the community.
One of his division chiefs who has served under multiple sheriffs said to me that Nanos is the most transparent he has seen. While he may have gotten in trouble by talking too much or saying things that can be torn apart, I would rather have a Sheriff who is open to conversation than one who is closed off and defensively hard to reach. We may not have agreed on everything, but it is clear to me that he is training deputies to put the community first, and this voter wants to keep the sheriff we elected.
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Golda Velez
North side
Radical racism for show
George Willās conservatism is shifting during the Trump administration. I thank the Star for running his column, March 20,Ā āThe evidence is clear why America needs immigrants.ā Will did his homework, breaking down many myths about refugees, explaining their benefits to all our lives.
His column is dear to me. I volunteered at Casa Alitas for years, feeding refugees from around the world. Each was legally seeking asylum. Screened, none were ācriminals.ā The histories I knew were hideous! Remember, Congress had a bill and Trump killed it via Republicans so he could get elected.
Now we canāt blame Biden for what Republicans are doing to human lives. There is absolutely no reason for this tragedy. Trumpās ICE deportation efforts are racist, sadistic in our name. Itās costing you and me $88 billion annually, to shred communities (American Immigration Council). But it didnāt have to. The Republican Congress will continue this racism. Remember this in November. And hypocrite Ciscomani, an immigrant, supports this cruelty.
Nancy Jacques
Northeast side
The SAVE act is not what you think it is
Donāt be fooled by the rancorous discussion of the so-called āSAVEā Act which is supposed to guard against election fraud.
That is not the purpose of the act. Rather, the Republican Congressional leadership and the President only want an opportunity to obscure and challenge the 2026 midterm elections.
If the SAVE Act doesnāt pass, the President will claim irregularities in the election and attempt to challenge the voting.
If the SAVE Act does pass, its limits and prohibitions will also cause the election results to be challenged by both sides.
In either case, the election ends up in the courts where the president has stacked the judiciary with conservative judges. Itās not inconceivable that the current Republican congressional majority would continue to serve while the courts take years sorting the challenges.
The SAVE Act doesnāt solve overwhelming problems because there arenāt any. Instead, pay attention to the claims that will arise after the midterms ā thatās where the real effects will be.
Bob Kovitz
East side
Politicians don't care about citizens
The turmoil Americans are living with is the direct result of members of both parties using government employees as pawns while they argue among themselves. During the 40 days they frequently fly home as if they have no concern. I have heard that they have special privileges letting them go straight to the gate.
Enough is enough. I wish there were some way to take privileges away including receiving pay and benefits, none of which they deserve. All we ever have is the right to vote which has become meaningless with all the money available to them. A starting point would be to vote them all out in the hope that new leaders might appear who care about the effects of their legislation. In the meantime do not give them your respect. They might get the message.
Jack Walters
Northeast side
Ciscomani op ed on DHS funding
The people of Southern Arizona will no longer allow Juan Ciscomani to rewrite his record.
The DHS shutdown began in mid-February amid anger over ICEās handling of immigration enforcement, with a majority of Americans disapproving of ICE tactics. Democrats, including Arizonaās Senators Kelly and Gallego, have refused to fund ICE without common sense reforms ā primarily officer identification requirements and due process protections for those arrested.
Instead of supporting these reforms, Ciscomani has been a leading advocate for full-funding bills that include ICE funding with no reforms attached, and he has voted for them twice.
Now his op-ed proposes a third bill that āfully funds the Department of Homeland Security,ā including an unreformed ICE that he somehow fails to mention in his piece.
He is not fooling us, and he will need to answer for his actual votes in November.
Fred Fiastro
Foothills
Really?
So I wanted to be a substitute teacher in my local district and the countywide JTED. I had to: Become certified by AZ DOE which included fingerprint card, background check, certified transcripts from 50 years ago, formal CV, three letters from serious people which were most certainly verified, as well as various forms and annual online seminars. Hey, no problem; as a product of public education, I firmly believe in it and will endure this kind of bureaucracy to participate.
On the other hand, our top Pima law enforcement official?? Can't make this stuff up, can you?
William Taylor
Marana
ICE funding
It would be refreshing if the MAGA letter writers would get their misinformed act together before they weigh in. Mr. Gordon's letter of 3/26 includes, "... so no additional ICE funding is needed or requested for this year." Indeed, the funding requested is not for the coming year, but for far beyond. Republicans want funding for ICE to the tune of $170 billion over 4 years, including a $75 billion, multi-year cash injection as a "slush fund" for ICE. This is what the Democrats oppose without much-needed reform regarding the behavior of ICE agents. Democrats are asking for body cameras and for the masks to come off. Sadly, I believe many of these ICE agents already have thuggish tendencies, and masks allow them to engage in violent behavior with impunity and anonymity. This has got to stop. ICE agents must be held to the same standard as other law enforcement personnel. This is certainly not an unreasonable demand.
Hope Gastelum
East side
Arizona, something's wrong
The Arizona Senate and House are controlled by Republicans.
The ACC is controlled by all Republicans. The whole Arizona Supreme Court is controlled by Republicans.
Democracy demands balance to work properly and to have representation from all groups.
Recently Arizona seems to be flooded with extremist legislation. Many have been reported in the Arizona Daily Star. Another new one: Arizona Senate Bill 1421 from a Flagstaff GOP politician targets banks and credit unions and businesses providing check cashing. Several other legislated efforts are afloat that seem extremist in nature or just designed to create sensationalism and distraction. Their object is to move past the huge failures of the Tariffs; Epstein coverup and the rush to war, not to mention affordability and the cost of gas.
Vote for Arizonaās economy and balance the game.
Pat Bannon
Midtown
Ciscomani doesn't get it
If youāve ever written to Ciscomani with a complaint or concern, then you are familiar with his boilerplate response, full of lofty language that lacks substance or sincerity. If you were hoping that his Op Ed might explain the situation in Washington and why TSA agents, along with the Coast Guard, FEMA, etc. arenāt being paid, then you are destined for disappointment. Having never stood on principle in his life, he doesnāt recognize the principled stand taken by the Democrats to urge Trump and Homeland Security to adopt some straightforward reforms of ICE: identification, cameras, judicial warrants, and no masks. Is it asking too much for ICE to respect and follow the 4th and 5th Amendments plus other actions that ensure due process and protections owed people in this country? It is clear that he doesnāt understand the situation or doesnāt care, but this is par for the course for Ciscomani.
Katharine Donahue
Foothills
The art of the schlemiel
You have 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating destruction.
One day later.
You now have five days to open the Strait or else.
Three days later.
You now have ten days to blah, blah, blah or blah, blah, blah will happen.
What a pathetic loser.
Scott Seidler
Midtown
Welcome home
Dear "Unhappy" and "Glory Be" and all former MAGA folks coming to their senses: Welcome home. Home where love and truth and honor and integrity reside. Home, where these qualities are the building blocks of our moral code and compass which provides the foundation for our strong and advancing democratic republic. Home, where diversity and equity and inclusion are what built this country often on the backs of immigrants. Immigrant DNA is in each and every one of us.
Phil "Bulldog" Bentley
Foothills
Hey, Cisco
About a month back, the Democrats put forth a bill for funding ICE and other agencies, contingent on ICE adhering to constitutional restraints, following proper procedures and wearing body cameras. There was nothing draconian in the bill.
The Republicans chose not to negotiate and come to a reasonable compromise. Ciscomani has shown himself to be a willow in the wind politician, fearing above all the MAGA bogeyman.
His editorial spoke of his bill to provide funding and said nothing about how it would pass in the U.S. Senate. Maybe that bill can be modified enough to provide humanistic requirements for the apprehension and detention of the undocumented. And body cameras.
The only accurate statement in the editorial was the title: Politics imperil homeland security. Ironic.
James Abels
Midtown
