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€