Deputies arrest 13 in migrant patrols
Paul Giblin

Sheriff’s deputies arrested nine suspected illegal immigrants and outraged dozens of immigrant advocates during the first 3 hours of saturation patrols in an east Phoenix neighborhood Friday afternoon.

Sheriff’s patrols to target illegals

Nearly 200 deputies and volunteer posse members were expected to continue the high-visibility patrols near East Thomas Road and North 32nd Street throughout the Easter weekend.

Deputies also arrested four people on charges unrelated to their immigration status during the first hours of the sweep.

Authorities initially stopped each of the suspects because of traffic violations, such as running red lights or making illegal left turns.

A team of immigrant activists - who trailed deputies and photographed the arrests as they were being made - accused them of racial profiling, a suggestion Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio rejected. “I’m very comfortable with our operation. We will continue to perform our duties of locking up illegal aliens,â€