The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Jenalyn Lazana
At moments of uncertainty, communities often look for unlikely heroes. In Southern Arizona, some of those heroes may not wear uniforms or hold public office — they may hold deeds to commercial property.
As of early 2026, both the City of Tucson and Pima County are advancing proposals to limit the use of local government property — such as parks and public parking lots — for civil immigration enforcement staging. If enacted, these measures would shift greater attention toward federal land and privately owned commercial property as the remaining lawful staging options.
Landlords, often seen only as background figures in the local economy, have a quiet but powerful opportunity to protect neighborhood stability, support small businesses, and help ensure that everyday places like grocery stores remain safe spaces rather than vulnerable places for community members.
Shopping centers and parking lots are private property. Federal agents do not have automatic permission to use private commercial land for staging or operational setup without owner authorization, and they generally need a judge-signed warrant — or consent — to enter non-public areas of a business. This is not obstruction; it is ordinary control over property access.
The consequences of allowing enforcement activity on community-serving commercial property extend beyond fear and uncertainty. There are real financial and legal risks in ignoring foreseeable impacts. From a risk-management perspective, enforcement presence can lead to immediate customer avoidance, reduced foot traffic, revenue loss for tenants — especially grocery stores and family-owned businesses — increased vacancy and turnover, lease disputes alleging interference with tenants’ contractual right to operate in peace, and potential liability if harm occurs under conditions a property owner could reasonably anticipate and mitigate.
In the historic Latino neighborhood where I work, I have seen how quickly consumer behavior responds to community alerts. When reports circulated about potential enforcement activity near local grocery stores, parking lots emptied and patients canceled appointments. Because judicial warrants typically authorize action within a defined time window rather than a single moment, the economic ripple effects can last far longer than any single enforcement event.
Reports of enforcement activity near El Super locations illustrate how these dynamics can unfold in real time. In some cases, the commercial property housing these community-serving businesses is owned by out-of-state investors who may be far removed from day-to-day conditions on the ground. That distance can mean landlords are unaware of how the presence of enforcement affects tenants, customers, and surrounding neighborhoods — underscoring the need for clear policies and active property oversight.
Like other premises-liability situations, if someone is injured due to a reasonably foreseeable risk within a property owner’s control, legal exposure may follow. At the same time, commercial landlords are uniquely positioned to protect both community safety and the long-term stability of their properties.
There are several paths forward. Tenants can raise concerns directly with landlords. Community members can do the same. And landlords themselves can act proactively. In Tucson, many major property and business owners are also influential civic stakeholders and political donors with the collective voice to shape responsible norms in moments like this.
Clear policies do not interfere with lawful enforcement; they simply ensure private property is not used in ways that disrupt tenants, customers, or staff. Institutional responsibility is often expressed not through confrontation but through clarity — setting access policies, enforcing private-property rules consistently, and providing visible notice at entrances and exits so expectations are understood before conflict arises.
A simple sign at each entry point will make it clear where the property owners are unwilling to take risks. For example: “Private property — notice: Law enforcement staging, parking, or operational activity requires a judicial warrant or written authorization from property ownership.”
Such clarity can also restore confidence. When communities understand that shared commercial spaces are being managed responsibly, that trust can translate into sustained foot traffic and economic resilience for local businesses. When commercial landlords exercise that quiet responsibility, they do more than manage property. They help ensure that neighborhood plazas remain places of trust, safety, and economic life.
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