Oct 19 2009
Sheriff Arpaio Defies Federal Government
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency announced on Friday that it would continue its controversial 287(g) program. The program allows for the deputizing of local and state law enforcement officials to act as immigration agents. ICE approved fifty-five new agreements under the federal partnership program. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona has been its the largest participant and was recently the subject of the most controversy leading up to Friday’s announcement. Sheriff Joe Arpaio who is currently under investigation by the Justice Department, was stripped of his 287g street patrol authorities that prompted numerous allegations of racial profiling. ICE, however, decided on Friday to enter into a new agreement that would allow for the continuation of the program in the County’s jails. Arpaio’s incarceration facilities have lost their national accreditation and conditions in them have prompted multimillion dollar lawsuits. Ever defiant, Sheriff Arpaio announced that he did not need a new agreement with ICE to carry out his immigration sweeps. Claiming authority under a dubious interpretation of state law, Arpaio said that he would conduct arrests despite ICE officially stripping him of that power and on Friday began a two-day sweep in the western Phoenix valley.
GUEST: Aura Bogado, freelance journalist based in Phoenix, Arizona
Find out more about the group that organized Friday’s march at www.puenteaz.org.
2 Responses to “Sheriff Arpaio Defies Federal Government”
Arpaio is a criminal and should be in jail.
Arpaio is a hero and thank God somebody has the spine to stand up for the American people who want an end to the ciminal activity at our borders!
You bleeding heart liberals should go to Mexico and find out why everyone wants to come to our country instead of making a life for themselves in their native country.