PHOENIX – The mayor wants the FBI to investigate whether the local county sheriff has violated any civil rights laws with his recent high-profile crackdowns on illegal immigrants.
The “saturation patrols” have drawn protests from civil rights and immigrant-rights advocates, but they have drawn support from backers of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and from people who believe the government hasn’t done enough against illegal immigration.
I think the mayor is disconnected from the people he represents and he doesn’t get the point,” Arpaio said Saturday. “Now he’s going to Washington to confuse the issue and try to get the public against me.”
The mayor “is degrading my office and my deputies by insinuating that they’re violating all these civil laws. We don’t profile,” the sheriff said.
In the past month, sheriff’s deputies and trained volunteers have gone into neighborhoods with large Hispanic populations, stopping people for routine traffic violations and asking some of them about their immigration status. Dozens of illegal immigrants have been detained.
ICE officials say Arpaio is not violating the formal agreement he has with their office that allows sheriff’s deputies to enforce immigration laws.
Last week, the Arizona Ecumenical Council and American Jewish Committee issued a joint letter saying the patrols “evoked a ‘police state’ atmosphere” and led to “detainment on the basis of a racial profile and dehumanization of innocent people.”
They were joined Friday by the Arizona chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, which echoed calls for a Justice Department investigation.
America would be a better, safer place with more “Sheriff Joes”.
Indeed Sir Wordsmith, indeed!
BZ
For those who don’t belong here it should be “almost a police state.” He has the right idea.
Darned tootin’, Shoprat!
BZ
I’ve had 3 major crushes in my life…Superman in the 50’s, Ringo Starr in 64, and Sheriff Joe from the day I heard about him…ions ago.
God Bless this man, and how I wish there were more like him !
huh, we need to write in sheriff Joe for President this coming election. much better than what we’ve got running now….
I love Sherrif Joe and that is the sentiment of most clear thinking Americans.
Wouldn’t it be grand if Sherrif Joe were in charge of the terrorists at Camp Gitmo?
Al queada in pink underwear, no Koran’s or prayer rugs.. think of all the implications.
Ahhhh, I LOVE IT, Muzzies in PINK!!
BZ
If we had more guys like Sheriff Joe, the ILLEGALS, notice I didn’t say WET BACKS, would be doing a bit of HARD time..
I’m a big fan of Sheriff Joe!!