Does McCain back ban on Arpaio immigration sweeps?

Sen. John McCain -- a fervent sponsor of immigration reform -- is once again being dragged into the messy border war of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is defying the Obama administration's ban on his highly controversial illegal immigrant sweeps in the Phoenix area.

Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano excluded Arpaio -- reviled by Hispanic advocacy groups for alleged racial profiling-- from a joint federal program that gives local law enforcement agencies the power to dragnet for illegals.

McCain's office wouldn't say whether he supported or opposed the move. But late Friday, McCain wrote Napolitano asking for an explanation, asking for her to "please provide the rationale for terminating the Task Force Model in Maricopa County and the criteria that made the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office ineligible to continue in the Task Force Model."

[The entire letter is after the jump.]

A McCain spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to questions about his motivation for sending the missive.

Maricopa is the only county to have its immigrant enforcement powers revoked. Arpaio was characteristically defiant, telling new soulmate Glenn Beck that he's not answerable to DHS, but existing statute: “I’m still going to enforce the state laws and I’m going to enforce the federal laws.

A call to a DHS spokesman on Sunday wasn't immediately returned.

McCain is said to personally dislike the flamboyant but popular Arpaio, known for his harsh treatment of prisoners of all ethnic and racial categories. But he's also cognizant of Arpaio's populist appeal. Last May, during the presidential race, McCain punted, blaming the Arpaio phenomenon on inadequate immigration policies not the sheriff himself.

"A lot of times it saddens me to see these conflicting approaches toward the issue of illegal immigration
because we would not have this problem if the federal government had carried out its responsibilities," McCain said at a Cinco De Mayo celebration.

During an interview with a Phoenix-area TV station earlier this year, McCain agreed to play a word association game with anchor, offering an "ummm" when asked for a response to the words "Joe Arpaio."

October 16, 2009



Janet Napolitano

Secretary

Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Napolitano:

Recent reports regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) efforts to standardize Memorandums of Agreements (MOAs) with participating 287(g) jurisdictions have raised several questions. The majority of 287(g) partnerships across the state of Arizona have proven effective and it is our hope they remain successful.

Please provide an explanation of the review process ICE undertook in determining the new agreements and the possible implications the streamlined agreements will have for 287(g) partners in Arizona. Please explain the reasons for the differing agreements among the six participating agencies within the state. In addition, please provide the rationale for terminating the Task Force Model in Maricopa County and the criteria that made the Maricopa County Sheriff’s office ineligible to continue in the Task Force Model.

Thank you in advance for your timely response to this inquiry.

Posted by Glenn Thrush 10:24

http://tinyurl.com/yhqoj8p

UMMM, think this has anything to do with re-election? Throw the bum out!