Enrique Morones and Sheriff Joe Arpaio begin a dialogue

By Elizabeth Aguilera

Originally published April 21, 2011 at 2:03 p.m.
updated April 21, 2011 at 2:24 p.m.

Border Angels founder Enrique Morones sat with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio Tuesday to discuss immigration policies and treatment of illegal immigrants in Phoenix.

Despite serious differences on how to resolve immigration policy issues in the U.S., both men agreed reform is needed.

"It was a very productive debate because I got to see the man behind the mask of Joe Arpaio," Morones said. "It was important to sit down face to face."

The conversation between the pair occurred the same day President Barack Obama invited 70 national leaders to the White House to discuss immigration policy.

Morones emphasized the need for humane treatment of illegal immigrants and the lack of a policy that would allow many of the undocumented to legalize. Arpaio pointed to the existing laws and enforcing them as the basis for his position.

The debate included some tense moments between the men, including when Morones asked Arpaio about various investigations into his operating procedures. the controversial Sheriff has become well known for his position on illegal immigration and for how he treats detainees. Arpaio created a female chain gang, made inmates wear pink underwear and placed inmates in tents outside.

Morones has criticized Arpaio's methods in the past and in 2009 he asked the government to investigate the Sheriff. Following the debate Morones toured the tent jails.

Arizona State University's Cronkite News covered the event.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011 ... gin-a-dia/