Thread: Phoenix Immigration Policy Under Scrutiny

Phoenix Immigration Policy Under Scrutiny
December 3rd, 2007 @ 12:08pm
by Kevin Tripp/KTAR

A Washington-based group might sue Phoenix over a city order that spells out when cops can call immigration agents.

Chris Farrell from Judicial Watch said the Phoenix policy violates federal law, ``which specifically prohibits any official from blocking or from precluding or fronm in anyway restricting officers from communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement."

Judicial Watch has sent its chief investigator to Phoenix to review documents on the city policy.

ABC News legal analyst Royal Oakes said similar lawsuits have failed across the nation.

``The courts say yes, it's proper, to say to the community that law enforcement officials will not report them (illegals) if they're not talking about immigration issues specifically," Oakes said.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Police Chief Jack Harris and other city officials have been under pressure to take a stronger stand against illegal immigrants. Gordon and Harris have said immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government and that local police do not have the resources to make that one of their primary concerns.

Judicial Watch has a suit pending against Los Angeles over an order which in most cases prevents police from asking about a person's immigration status.
http://ktar.com:80/?nid=6&sid=662003

Think tank investigator reviewing Phoenix immigration documents

Associated Press - December 3, 2007 10:54 AM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - A Washington-based think tank that's suing Los Angeles over its immigration policies has sent its chief investigator to Phoenix.

Judicial Watch's visit comes at a time when Phoenix' mayor, police chief and other city officials are under pressure to take stronger actions on illegal immigration-related controversies.

Many of Judicial Watch's recent lawsuits have focused on immigration issues. The group is suing Los Angeles over the city's regulation which prevents police in most cases from asking about a person's immigration status.

Phoenix has a similar regulation.

The Phoenix mayor's office declines to comment on Judicial Watch's visit to Phoenix.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com
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