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The Business Journal of Phoenix - August 15, 2006
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Napolitano, Arpaio say immigration cooperation lacking
The Business Journal of Phoenix - 4:38 PM MST Tuesdayby Mike SunnucksThe Business Journal
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have written U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff strongly complaining about a top federal immigration official in Phoenix.

Napolitano and Arpaio do not directly name the special agent at the Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency in Phoenix. But state government and Sheriff's office sources say the subject of the criticism is Special Agent in Charge Roberto Medina. The governor and sheriff are upset with lack of cooperation from Medina when it comes to sharing intelligence and investigation information and his refusal to pick up and deport illegal immigrants detained under the state's human smuggling laws, the sources say.

Napolitano and Arpaio further said they welcome expected personnel changes at ICE's Phoenix office, which apparently have included Medina's exit, which was confirmed late Tuesday. They also asked the Bush administration to improve communications with state and local officials. The Phoenix ICE office said Medina is being moved to the agency's office in El Paso, Texas.

"The previous Maricopa County ICE SAC (Special Agent in Charge) was reluctant to share even basic information regarding apprehensions, border crossing deaths, drug confiscation statistics, or the number of agents and man hours available to combat the problem," the letter stated. "He categorically refused to provide us with this information. His hostility to state and local law enforcement, coupled with a 'we know better than you' attitude, was counter to the mission of his agency and did serious damage to relations between our state and your department. We are greatly relieved and encouraged that he is being replaced."

Napolitano is a Democrat, Arpaio a Republican.

"ICE cooperation has been so lacking that the agency even has refused to pick up and deport undocumented immigrants who have been convicted under Arizona's human smuggling statute. Instead, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies must drive the arrestees to the border to be turned over to Border Patrol -- a significant waste of time and taxpayer dollars," the letter further stated.

ICE is the federal agency that spearheads the fight against drug trafficking, human smuggling and other illegal activities from Mexico and other countries.

"Roberto Medina, who currently oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's investigative activities in Arizona, has been selected to serve as the new special agent in charge of the ICE office in El Paso, Texas," the agency said in a statement. "Mr. Medina's leadership experience with ICE in Arizona will serve him well in his new position. ICE recognizes the importance of its cooperative relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies in Arizona. During his tenure in Arizona, Mr. Medina spearheaded several initiatives to enhance that cooperation. ICE looks forward to continuing to build upon this cooperation and work closely with the state of Arizona and our law enforcement counterparts."


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