AZ-Undocumented immigrants to be counted in Arizona census?

Undocumented immigrants to be counted in Arizona census?

Last Update: 3/20 9:47 pm



PHOENIX -- The nation faces tough questions in tough times, and there are people on both sides of every issue.

Arizona is no different. But who’s saying what about the issues important to Arizonans?

ABC15.com has launched a weekly segment called "Hear Me Out," and each Sunday we're debuting an Arizona issue - along with two opposing sides on the topic.

Don’t worry, you always have the opportunity to make comments at the bottom of the page. Yeah, your opinion matters too.

This week we're tackling the debate over whether undocumented immigrants should be counted in Arizona's 2010 census.

Some say every person in the country should feel comfortable filling out the census, regardless of immigration status, in order to gather the most accurate information about our communities.

Others argue including undocumented immigrants in the census further legitimizes their status in the country and leads to an inaccurate portrait of the legal population.

No, they shouldn't Yes, they should

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/hearm ... P_b1g.cspx

Undocumented immigrants to be counted in Arizona census?

Last Update: 3/20 9:47 pm



Sheriff Joe Arpaio By Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office


I recently responded to local media questions about my opinion on whether or not illegal aliens should be included in the 2010 census.

The census is established by Federal law and I would never interfere with the census process. In fact, I will be cooperating with the Federal government to enable the population of my jail inmates to be included in the report.

However, my personal opinion as the Sheriff of Maricopa County is that I am opposed to including those that are in this country illegally in the upcoming census.

One of the census’ primary purposes is congressional apportionment, which is the direct representation allotted to states in the U.S. House of Representatives.

By including the population of illegal aliens in the census that reside in our state, we could potentially cause a shifting of representation away from states or communities who may be more accurate in their population of legal residents.

Fifteen to 20 percent of the inmates in my jail system that will be included in the 2010 census are suspected of being illegal aliens.

They are very likely to be deported out of our country if they are proven to be here illegally. Yet they will still be included on the census count.

I am not suggesting that the ratio of illegal aliens in my jail system directly reflects the ratios in our local community.

The question does come to mind, should non-citizens or illegal aliens be considered when allotting such things as federal funding and congressional apportionment?

I firmly believe that including this population of illegal aliens is just another step in the direction of legitimizing their presence in the United States by shifting funding and representation in government a little at a time.

I have stated continually that our federal government is working its way towards yet another amnesty for those already in our country illegally. Another amnesty will only further erode any confidence remaining in our federal immigration law enforcement.

I have noticed the forms that will be used for the 2010 census specifically focus in on the Hispanic population by asking detailed, racial origin questions. If these questions were asked by my deputies to people on the streets, my office would no doubt find itself in federal court answering accusations of racial profiling.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office receives state funding from the legislature to enforce immigration laws in the area of human smuggling and employer sanctions laws. Yet, I am still routinely criticized by local activist groups, certain media organizations, and some politicians when I enforce these laws.

I am confident that my response highlighting these issues will result in critics’ opinions that I pursue these law breakers because I have some type of personal dislike for the Hispanic community. Nothing is further from the truth.

I believe in fulfilling the many oaths of office I have taken in 50 plus years of law enforcement. I will faithfully enforce the laws of the United States and the State of Arizona to the best of my ability.

Despite the criticism, I will continue to do my job as the Sheriff of Maricopa County and face the issue of illegal immigration head on.

Do you agree with this opinion? Click add a comment below to sound off.

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/hearm ... g.cspx?p=3