http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... e0208.html
Officers get nod to train to enforce immigration laws
Feb. 8, 2007 12:00 AM

Sheriff Joe Arpaio received the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors' blessing on Wednesday to train up to 160 officers to enforce federal immigration laws.

Arpaio said the officers will be used to arrest suspected undocumented immigrants and turn them over to the federal government.

A small but growing number of law enforcement officials in the United States have asked for similar training. Critics contend that local officers doubling as immigration agents could undermine public safety by making immigrants reluctant to report crimes and could lead to racial profiling. advertisement




Federal officials could finalize the agreement within days, with the hope of starting the four- to five-week training for the first group on Feb. 27.

- Daniel González