Thread: Arpaio: ICE challenges media alert

Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 6:05pm MST
Arpaio: ICE challenges media alert

Phoenix Business Journal - by Mike Sunnucks

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Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said Wednesday a immigration official threatened to terminate a federal agreement with his office after he notified the news media before a crime sweep in Mesa last week.

Robert Driscoll, an attorney representing Arpaio, said in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that an Immigration & Customs Enforcement agent threatened to terminate the an immigration enforcement agreement with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office because the sheriff notified the media.

The ICE agent said local police must get approval from the federal government before notifying the media, Driscoll said, adding this is first time ICE mentioned such a policy. The federal threat is unconstitutional under the First Amendment, Driscoll said, asking the Barack Obama administration to investigate the matter.

The MCSO has had an agreement with the federal government since 2007 allowing deputies to arrest and process illegal immigrants. The administration is changing that program, however, requiring new agreements to be signed that reflect a shift from immigration raids toward more serious crimes. Officials at ICE and DHS could not immediately be reached for comment.

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