REGION: Controversial Sheriff Arpaio to speak in RB

Immigrant rights groups to protest Arizona sheriff's visit

By EDWARD SIFUENTES - esifuentes@nctimes.com |

Posted: August 9, 2010 5:53 pm

Immigrant rights groups are expected to protest Tuesday outside the Rancho Bernardo Country Club, where the controversial Arizona sheriff, Joe Arpaio, will give a speech on his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration to a sold-out crowd.

Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Ariz., got national attention for using deputies to conduct frequent raids to catch illegal immigrants and building large prison tents to house inmates.

Immigrant rights activists say the sheriff's tactics create fear and alienate illegal immigrants, which means they are less likely to report crimes because they don't want to risk being deported.

"Community members are gathering to express the need for trust and respect between law enforcement and residents," said Nidya Ramirez, a coordinator with the Escondido Human Rights Committee, a grassroots immigrant rights group.

Among the groups expected to attend Tuesday's protest are the North County-based El Grupo, the Border Angels and the American Friends Service Committee.

The sheriff is scheduled to speak to members of the Conservative Order for Good Government, a group that hosts speakers as a way to promote dialogue between residents and elected officials.

"I invited the sheriff to speak because I think everyone wants to know what it is like to fight illegal immigration on the front lines," said Marty Judge, the group's president.

"Congress has for decades lacked the will to protect our border with Mexico and left it for state and local law enforcement to try to stem an overwhelming flood of illegal immigrants," Judge said.

Arpaio is expected to talk about his strategy for stopping illegal immigration and how the controversial new Arizona law will affect law enforcement.

About 220 people are expected to attend the event.

The Arizona law, Senate Bill 1070, would have required police to check the immigration status of those stopped or arrested if police suspect the persons to be in the country illegally and if it's feasible to do so.

A federal judge blocked some of the more controversial aspects of the law late last month, saying the federal government must take the lead on deciding how to enforce immigration laws.

Call staff writer Edward Sifuentes at 760-740-3511.

NORTH COUNTY TIMES