Thread: Feds defend Arpaio on crime sweeps

Feds defend Arpaio on crime sweeps
Immigration officials say sheriff is following law
Daniel González

Top federal immigration officials on Friday defended Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s recent crime sweeps, rejecting critics’ arguments that the sheriff is violating an agreement that allows deputies to enforce immigration laws.

The officials made their remarks as 38 new officers at five Arizona law-enforcement agencies were sworn in to enforce federal immigration laws. The federally trained officers are members of the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the Pima, Pinal and Yavapai county sheriff’s offices. Now, with more than 200 trained officers and jail officials, Arizona has the most of any state in nation.

Asked about the intensifying controversy over sweeps in Phoenix and Guadalupe, Matthew Allen, newly appointed special agent in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Arizona, rebuffed accusations that Arpaio is conducting immigration raids masked as crime sweeps. Jim Pendergraph, who coordinates an ICE program that trains local police in immigration enforcement, agreed.

They said Arpaio is enforcing state laws and, in the process, arresting illegal immigrants, which is permitted under an agreement between ICE and the Sheriff’s Office.

“He has stayed within the bounds of the agreement,â€

Alessandra Soler Meetze, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, said she fears more local police will question drivers about their immigration status during traffic stops. That could lead to civil-rights violations and racial-profiling involving immigrants and U.S. citizens, she said.

How is it racial profiling to ask someone for a drivers license if they were pulled over for operating a motor vehicle. Further, if they cannot produce a valid operators license, probably cause would allow the officer to conduct additional questioning as to why they are unable to produce a license. During the course of such questioning, it's conceivable the officer may ascertain the subject is in this country illegally.

That's how police work is done and the ACLU knows it. There's nothing abusive or racial about it! I guess if your perspective might be somewhat different if you were the ACLU or an illegal invader, but who cares what they think!

Added to Home APge
http://www.alipac.us/article3080.html

They said Arpaio is enforcing state laws and, in the process, arresting illegal immigrants, which is permitted under an agreement between ICE and the Sheriff’s Office.

Enforcing laws and arresting illegal immigrants; perfectly reasonable -- and long overdue.

Feds defend Arpaio

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Hallelujah! Good to see the feds back a law enforcement officer who is just following the law.

Now if we can just get the feds to follow the laws they have passed.

“We will not use this for routine immigration enforcement,â€

Go Joe! Sounds like Arizona is getting their act together. Whoo Hoo

Gordon is such a "Cry Baby" . I wonder if he lunches with the Mayor of Montezuma ?
Feds had no choice but to back Joe . He's doing his job

On Friday, he continued with a second day of sweeps in Guadalupe, despite the objections of the mayor and hundreds of protesters. He said he was considering doing more sweeps in Mesa after eight state legislators signed a letter asking him to focus his crime-suppression activities on the southeast Valley.

Gee, I wonder who those EIGHT state legislators heard from to send this letter? Could it be thousands of CITIZENS??? The mayor and protesters STILL don't get it do they? Just because millions of citizens don't march and protest in the streets does not mean we don't want our laws enforced!