A hearing date has been set in the lawsuit filed by Pinal County against County Attorney Brad Miller regarding his signing of the 287(g) Task Force Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security without approval from the Board of Supervisors, according to an April 10 announcement. Judge Michael Gordon scheduled a hearing for both the county’s motion for a preliminary injunction and Miller’s motion to dismiss. The session will take place on Friday, May 15, at 9 a.m. in Judge Gordon’s courtroom and will be open to the public.
The dispute centers on whether Miller had authority to enter into an agreement with federal immigration authorities without board consent. During Thursday’s virtual status conference in Maricopa County Superior Court, it was confirmed that Miller agreed not to engage in any activities with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beyond information sharing while litigation is ongoing.
This legal action comes at a time when education outcomes remain a concern within Pinal County. For example, during the 2022-23 school year, 76.3% of students in grades three through eight did not pass the mathematics section of Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA), according to data from the Arizona Department of Education. Similarly, only 23% of third through eighth graders passed this section during the following academic year.
High school performance also reflects challenges: In the same period, just 17% of high schoolers successfully passed the mathematics section of their ACT exams according to state education reports, while only about one-quarter met standards on English sections as well.
These educational statistics provide context for broader concerns facing Pinal County as it addresses governance issues such as those raised by this lawsuit. As local officials prepare for next month’s court proceedings, community members are encouraged to stay informed about both legal developments and efforts aimed at improving student achievement.
