Phoenix reverses immigration enforcement policy

Paul Giblin, Tribune


Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon says he will ask a blue-ribbon panel of former top federal and state law officials to craft a new policy for the Phoenix Police Department that would allow local officers to apprehend illegal immigrants and notify immigration officials if they detain undocumented immigrants.

Gordon has enlisted the aid of former U.S. attorneys Paul Charlton and Jose Rivera, former state Attorney General Grant Woods and former Maricpoa County Attorney Rick Romley to come up with a new policy.

Currently, the police department operates under a rule that prohibits officers from enforcing immigration laws. The Phoenix police union has recently asked the department to change the policy.

Gordon made the announcement at a news conference this afternoon. In a statement issued shortly before the press conference began, Gordon said the department’s current policy was written years ago and does not take into account today’s public safety, social and political concerns.


http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/103316