Hispanic lawmakers join call for Arpaio investigation
301 commentsby Scott Wong - Apr. 17, 2008 12:55 PM
The Arizona Republic
Showing a unified front, Latino state lawmakers said Thursday that they are backing Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's call for a federal investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's recent crime sweeps in Hispanic neighborhoods. The lawmakers said the sheriff's tactics are tantamount to racial profiling.

"There can be no disagreement with the fact that the violations of people's rights are not acceptable and are clearly unconstitutional," said Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, flanked by six members of the Arizona Legislative Latino Caucus that he co-chairs. "We've seen plenty of examples of people being victims of racial profiling and people who have been victims of serious violations of civil rights."

Arpaio was quick to fire back, vowing he will not be intimidated by threats by Gordon or state legislators.
"I am not concerned about (Miranda) and his group going to Washington. I have nothing to fear and will continue to do crime suppression. I will continue to lock up illegals," Arpaio said when told about the Capitol news conference. "I will not be intimated by minority groups."

The Latino Caucus plans to send a letter today to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey requesting that the Justice Department begin an investigation to determine whether Arpaio's "saturation patrols" constitute a civil-rights violation.

"Simply put, (Arpaio) is using the guise of 'crime suppression' for the sole purpose of rooting out and deporting Hispanics who are in this country illegally," the letter says. "He is not, however, considering the collateral damage that is occurring. Specifically, that the civil rights of Hispanic citizens are being infringed upon by being unfairly subjected to racial profiling."

The letter goes on to say that without federal intervention, Arpaio will continue to target Hispanic communities throughout the county, forcing citizens to endure unnecessary encounters with authorities.

In recent weeks, Arpaio has conducted crime sweeps in Guadalupe and parts of Phoenix. He said his officers arrested 30 illegal immigrants Wednesday night after sweeps in Wickenburg. The sheriff has said he plans to target Mesa next and will bring his patrols back to Phoenix despite objections from Mayor Gordon.


Reach the reporter at scott.wong@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8604.


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