Corazon Arizona

Background

Corazon Arizona is a left-of-center nonprofit organization based in Arizona that was preceded by a Neighborhood Ministries advocacy initiative opposing Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which sought to impose state-level regulations on illegal immigration. ² The bill expanded the authority of law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, permitting them to detain individuals if they have probable cause of an immigration crime being committed and requiring law enforcement to verify the legal status of arrested and detained individuals. The bill also created new immigration crimes for the state, criminalizing residing or working without legal permission. ³

Corazon Arizona consists of a network of religious and advocacy groups in Arizona that organize advocacy campaigns and voter mobilization efforts. ⁴ It supports mandatory paid leave policies, increased pay, socialized childcare, and for government employee unionization. ⁵

Corazon Arizona is a member of One Arizona, which an advocacy network that was founded to oppose SB 1070 and engages in voter mobilization efforts. ²

Human Rights in the Pulpit Campaign

Corazon Arizona launched the  Human Rights in the Pulpit Campaign that recruited religious communities to oppose Arizona Proposition 314. ¹ Proposition 314, titled the “Immigration and Border Law Enforcement Measure” and known as the “Secure the Border Act,” was passed in November 2024. ⁶

Proposition 314 made it a state crime in addition to a federal crime to enter Arizona without legal immigration status, required public benefits to verify the immigration status of recipients, made it a crime for those without an immigration status to use falsified documents to apply for public benefits, and increased punishments for the sale of fentanyl that was produced in another country. ⁶

The Human Rights in the Pulpit Campaign provided talking points for religious leaders to criticize the ballot measure amongst their congregations and other advocacy materials for organizations to spread in support of the campaign. Suggested talking points for religious leaders to promote included arguments that the proposal violated the Constitution, that it sought to “intimidate minority communities,” and that it had “overtly racist motivations.” ¹

Events

Corazon Arizona hosts regular meetings to discuss with member organizations policy initiatives and voter mobilization efforts. ⁷ Its events also include trainings where it promotes using public policies to address issues associated with the concepts of “power dynamics” and “systemic oppression.” The training courses discussed strategies for members to organize their own issue advocacy campaigns. ⁸

Advocacy

Corazon Arizona advises member churches and organizations on how to engage in political advocacy, suggesting the use of its concept of a “prophetic imagination” to advise members to envision how a “higher power” would pursue “radically” different changes. It encourages members to engage in community outreach and use this concept to support their advocacy. Corazon argues that religious groups should use their religion to obtain support for a policy based on their moral authority. It also argues that such strategies will result in so-called “racial and economic equity.” ⁹

Leadership

Alicia Contreras is the founding executive director of Corazon Arizona and is a board member of the Family Values Network. ¹⁰

Financials

In 2023, Corazon Arizona reported $497,996 in total revenue and $703,816 in total expenses, including $471,084 in salary and compensation for its employees. ¹¹