Thread: AZ: Mayor is target of suit over immigrant policy

Mayor is target of suit over immigrant policy
Casey Newton
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 21, 2007 12:00 AM

A former Phoenix councilman filed a lawsuit against Mayor Phil Gordon, saying Gordon's efforts to revise a police immigration-enforcement policy violated the city charter.

The lawsuit is the latest fallout from Gordon's announcement earlier this month that he no longer supports Operations Order 1.4, the policy that prevents Phoenix police in most cases from asking about a person's immigration status.

Gordon has appointed a four-man advisory panel to recommend changes to the police chief. The panel is expected to make its recommendations next month. advertisement




The suit, filed Wednesday in Maricopa County Superior Court, "asks that the court enjoin the mayor from trying to change the internal policy and/or remove him from office for violating the charter," Gary Peter Klahr said in a release. "It does not seek monetary damages."

Gordon said the suit was without merit.

"Lawsuits, and the threats of lawsuits, will never deter me from doing the right thing," Gordon said in a statement.

"Such tactics have become commonplace, but have not been successful before and will not be successful now. I will continue to do what is right."

Klahr, who is also a former member of the Phoenix Union High School District board, said in his release that he opposed substantial changes to Operations Order 1.4.

www.azcentral.com

Wish the feds would take this kind of attitude. Go Mayor!