by Associated Press (March 10th, 2012 @ 11:31am)

PHOENIX — Attorneys defending Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office against a racial profiling lawsuit want a judge to bar evidence at trial about federal officials' alleged approval of Arpaio's immigration efforts while some of his deputies had special federal immigration arrest powers.

Last week, lawyers who filed the lawsuit asked U.S. District Judge Murray Snow to bar such evidence from Immigration and Customs officials because they argue it's irrelevant and that ICE didn't scrutinize traffic stops made by Arpaio's office during its immigration efforts.

Arpaio's attorneys say two ICE officials could provide information on whether it's likely the sheriff's office had a policy of discriminating against Latinos.

The sheriff's lawyers say one ICE officials had said Arpaio's office had properly used its federal arrest powers.

Arpaio denies the racial profiling allegation.

Arpaio's lawyers want ICE evidence at trial - KTAR.com