Arizona among states Trump is scouting for immigration speech

Arizona is among the states Donald Trump's campaign is considering as a backdrop for a much-anticipated policy speech on immigration, The Arizona Republic has learned.

The campaign, which is scouting locations in Mesa, Phoenix and elsewhere, canceled an immigration-related speech Trump was scheduled to deliver earlier this week in Colorado.

"We had a call from their campaign yesterday looking for a site for a speech on Aug. 31 — it's a policy speech," said city of Mesa spokesman Steve Wright. "We didn't have any of our city properties that would fit or were available, but we did refer them to several of our hotel properties. That's pretty much all I know."

Those familiar with planning the potential event said it would not be a rally.

The campaign is also looking at locations in Colorado and other states, according to a person familiar with the process.

If Trump returns to the Valley, it would be his fifth visit since launching his campaign. The previous events have been held in Phoenix, Mesa and Fountain Hills, each drawing thousands of supporters.

Robert Graham, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, said Trump would be returning to his campaign’s roots if he travels to Arizona to speak about illegal immigration and border security.

“That was kind of how he launched his campaign,” Graham told The Republic, referencing the candidate's raucous July 2015 rally in downtown Phoenix. “Now, if he’s coming back to Arizona, I’d say it’s good to have the support from our nominee. We really haven’t had that in the past.”

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