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Initiative would require Phoenix Police to hire immigration officers

Matthew Benson
The Arizona Republic
Apr. 19, 2006 05:34 PM


Backers of a measure that would require the city of Phoenix to enforce federal immigration law kicked off their ballot effort Wednesday at the Capitol.

The Protect Our City Initiative would amend City Charter to require Phoenix law enforcement, officials and city employees to assist federal authorities in enforcing immigration law. The measure also calls for the police department to designate certain personnel as immigration officers who would be qualified to investigate, apprehend and detain undocumented immigrants.

Phoenix critics consider it a "sanctuary city" because of existing city policies that suggest a hands-off approach to illegal immigration.

Phoenix Police Department policy, for example, instructs officers not to stop people for the sole purpose of determining their immigration status, and states that federal authorities should not be contacted unless an individual is involved in more serious criminal activity.

"Our city officials are condoning illegal activity," said Randy Pullen , an Arizona GOP National Committeeman and chairman of Protect Our City.

Police Sgt. Lauri Williams countered that Phoenix law enforcement is not trained in immigration enforcement, but said the department has "a very strong working relationship with (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)."

In order for the initiative to make the ballot, Pullen's group must collect 14,844 valid signatures and submit them to the city clerk's office by the first week of June.