Kyl, McCain question ICE's snub of Arpaio
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by Dan Nowicki - Oct. 25, 2009 12:00 AM

Arizona's two Republican senators are asking Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to explain why controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was largely cut out of the federal program that previously allowed his office to enforce U.S. immigration laws on the streets.

Now, Arpaio's deputies have permission to do so only in the jails.

In a letter dated Oct. 16, Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl request details on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement review process as well as "the rationale for terminating the Task Force Model in Maricopa County and the criteria that made the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office ineligible to continue in the Task Force Model."
In an e-mailed statement, Sara Kuban, a Homeland Security spokeswoman, said the agency would respond directly to the senators, but told The Arizona Republic that Arpaio's ongoing crime-suppression sweeps "do not align with ICE priorities to arrest, detain and remove serious criminal aliens."

Those sweeps frequently net what Arpaio critics consider small-time offenders.

"MCSO has been unwilling to coordinate with local jurisdictions while continuing to flaunt a disregard for ICE priorities under the Task Force Model," Kuban added.


http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... i1025.html