Thread: Illegal Immigration Crime Skyrockets in Arizona

Illegal Immigration Crime Skyrockets in Arizona

October 10, 2008
Tom Fitton

As you know, Judicial Watch is leading a major nationwide campaign against illegal immigration sanctuary policies that prevent local police officers from cooperating with federal immigration officials. One of our key arguments against these policies (and there are many) is that they put American citizens at risk by allowing illegal alien criminals onto the streets to commit more crimes when they should be deported.

On October 2nd, the Maricopa County, Arizona District Attorney's office released crime statistics that prove this point. Overall, while illegals represent only nine percent of the population in Maricopa County (which includes Phoenix) they are responsible for approximately 22% of the crimes committed. Here is a breakdown of statistics by crime category. Illegal aliens account for:

33.5% of those sentenced for manufacture, sale or transport of drugs.
35.8% of those sentenced for kidnapping.
20.3% of those sentenced for felony DUI.
16.5% of those sentenced for violent crimes.
18.5% of those sentenced for property crimes.
44% of those sentenced for forgery and fraud.
85.3% of those convicted of criminal impersonation or false ID.
96% of those convicted of human smuggling.
Now as you may recall, Judicial Watch has been very active in Phoenix, working closely with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Phoenix businesses victimized by illegal alien crime to change the city's policies. And our strategy paid off last December.

Facing the threat of a Judicial Watch lawsuit, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon reluctantly reversed himself on the city's sanctuary policy on December 3, 2007, and then commissioned a panel to study the issue. In May, Police Chief Jack Harris announced key reforms to the policy.

We don't yet know whether Mayor Gordon is truly committed to enforcing immigration laws or whether, in the face of enormous public opposition and Judicial Watch pressure, he was simply making a politically expedient decision. (In the past, Gordon has actually requested that the Department of Justice investigate local police officials for "discriminatory harassment" when they attempt to enforce the law.)

Here's what we do know: When local police departments implement sanctuary policies, crime goes up. When local police departments enforce immigration law, crime goes down. It's that simple.

I personally don't see too much of a difference between McCain's and Obama's views on immigration and I expect both will largely continue Bush's policies, with even less emphasis on enforcement. So the key battles could be at the state and local levels, where Judicial Watch is already active.

www.judicialwatch.org

McCain or Obama WILL probably initiate lower levels of enforcement----unless their feet are held to the fire. However, getting law enforcement agencies and higher level personnel to demand it will probably help more than us angry citizens. We just have to keep at it. I have been emailing official government new releases pertaining to IA related crime to my Congressman. I figure that speaks more than my opinion alone.

Why anyone would stop Sherrif Joe from doing his job is insane as far as Im concerned.

dont see armed robbery there. a silver lining?

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http://www.alipac.us/article3629.html