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Laura Segall / Reuters
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio talks to the media Thursday about the Department of Justice's accusations of racial profiling and a pattern of discrimination at by his office.
Updated 10:05 p.m. ET
PHOENIX -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio said a scathing U.S. Justice Department report about his office's law enforcement tactics against Latinos marks "a sad day for America as a whole."
Billed as America's toughest sheriff, Arpaio struck a defiant tone at a Thursday afternoon news conference in response to the report, which he called a politically motivated attack by the Obama administration that will make Arizona unsafe.
"Don't come here and use me as the whipping boy for a national and international problem," he said.
The report released Thursday said that Arpaio's office carried out a blatant pattern of discrimination against Latinos.
(Read the full Department of Justice letter here.)
The report said Arpaio's office also held a "systematic disregard" for the Constitution amid a series of immigration crackdowns that have turned the lawman into a prominent national political figure. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday cut ties with the Maricopa County sheriff's office that allowed trained deputies to enforce immigration laws. Homeland Security also will restrict the sheriff's office use of the Secure Communities program, which uses fingerprints collected in local jails to identify illegal immigrants.
"Illegal criminal offenders will go undetected and be dumped back out on the street near you, and for that you can thank your federal government," Arpaio said.
But a senior Department of Homeland Security official maintains that any criminal offender found to be in the country illegally will still be detained, just not in the Maricopa County Jail. Instead, according to the official, those individuals will now be held in federal facilities, not released back into the public.
Arpaio faces a Jan. 4 deadline for saying whether he wants to work out an agreement with the Justice Department to make changes ending discrimination. If not, the federal government will sue him, possibly putting in jeopardy millions of dollars in federal funding for Maricopa County.
"We are going to cooperate the best we can. And if they are not happy, I guess they can carry out their threat and go to federal court," Arpaio said.
Joe Arpaio of Phoenix, Ariz. is the most famous sheriff in America, known for his tough policies against illegal immigrants and the no-nonsense way he runs the county jail. Arpaio is now in trouble with the U.S. Justice Department, accused of violating Latinos' constitutional rights. NBC's George Lewis reports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Well , if the federal government doesn't do their job , or enforce the laws , and the local government wants to enforce the laws , and the citizens want these laws enforced , what would you do..??
Let's see; soon it will be OK for Homeland Security to hold and interrogate any suspected U.S. citizen indefinitely... but it's NOT OK to hold a LATINO suspected of being an illegal immigrant for a day or two while their citizenship is being checked out.
There is something definitely wrong with this picture if you ask me...
The headlines on Msnbc.com recently have been about how Barry's administration has been deporting more undocumented aliens in the first 3 years than W did in his entire 8 years. How do you get to the conclusion that the feds aren't doing 'their job'? Unless this is just the standard tea party talking points being spouted in hopes of confusing them for the truth?
Where is the evidence that the federal government is not enforcing the laws? Who told you that? The ICE guys have been working closely with Arizona's local law enforcement officials and even provided training to help them detain illegal immigrants crossing the Arizona border. Here is a quote from www.ice.gov
Fact Sheet: ICE Enforcement in Arizona
Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations
During an average week in 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers:
ERO programs and initiatives in Arizona include:
Criminal Alien Program
The Criminal Alien Program assists in identifying and arresting aliens who are incarcerated within federal, state and local prisons and jails, as well as at-large criminal aliens. It consists of the Law Enforcement Agency Response Unit (LEAR), Rapid REPAT, and the Violent Criminal Alien Section. ICE ensures that aliens are successfully removed by quickly processing the alien and securing a final order of removal for an incarcerated alien before the alien is released to ICE custody. Doing so decreases or eliminates the time spent in ICE custody and reduces the overall cost to the federal government.
During fiscal year 2011 the Phoenix Field Office's Criminal Alien Program generated 10,381 immigration related encounters; lodged 4,730 detainers with federal, state and local jails; made 3,609 arrests for immigration violations and issued 6,177 charging documents.
Law Enforcement Agency Response Unit (LEAR)
ICE ERO in Phoenix established the Law Enforcement Agency Response Unit (LEAR) on Sept. 4, 2006. LEAR enables Arizona's state and local law enforcement agencies to directly report immigration violators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. LEAR determines the nationality, immigration status, and amenability to removal; makes arrests; places immigration detainers; provides transportation; and processes aliens found amenable to removal.
During fiscal year 2011, the Criminal Alien Program and LEAR resulted in:
Rapid Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer (Rapid REPAT)
Rapid REPAT capitalizes on ICE's ability to more effectively identify and ultimately remove criminal aliens from the United States while still preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system. This program is a joint partnership with state correctional/parole agencies.
For instance, certain aliens who are incarcerated in state prison and have been convicted of non-violent offenses may receive early conditional release. This release is only granted if they have a final order of removal and agree not to return to the United States. If aliens re-enter the United States, state statutes must provide for revocation of parole and confinement for the remainder of the alien's original sentence. By identifying and processing incarcerated criminal aliens prior to release, ICE reduces the number of detained aliens. This results in decreased costs and burden to the federal government.
During fiscal year 2011, Phoenix's Rapid REPAT processed 391 criminal aliens, which resulted in an estimated cost savings of nearly $12.5 million to the state of Arizona.
Violent Criminal Alien Section
The Violent Criminal Alien Section screens recidivist criminal aliens encountered through ICE ERO. The Section deters and reduces future recidivism rates of violent criminal aliens by seeking criminal prosecution. In coordination with U.S. attorney offices, the Violent Criminal Alien Section prioritizes federal criminal prosecution of egregious recidivist criminal aliens for felony violations. Illegal re-entry after deportation in violation of 8 USC 1326 is currently the most prosecuted federal offense nationwide.
During fiscal year 2011, Phoenix's Violent Criminal Alien Section presented 1,707 cases for federal prosecution, secured 1,218 indictments, made 1,580 criminal arrests and obtained 1,298 convictions.
********************************************************************************
As you can see, your claims are completely bogus and have absolutely nothing to do with reality. Keep dreaming though. There are no laws against that.
So if Arizona doesn't play by Obama's 'Politically Correct' rules, they will cut off Federal funding?
Perhaps Arizona should sue the Federal Government for refusing to enforce their own laws.
It's not Obama's "Politically Correct Rules" it's the rules of the constitution. Just because you hate Latino American citizens doesn't mean you can take their rights from them.
Sorry the Constitution does not say you can SNEAK into my country and then demand I pay for your kids education, K-12 and then unlimited college FOR FREE, while I pay for everything. The Constitution doesn't say I owe any Immigrant, but especially, ILLEGALS one a damn thing. THe FEDs are NOT doing their job. Obama's own family is proof of that, we know he has an aunt living on welfare in Chicago and DRUNKEN uncle in New England, both are here ILLEGALLY. So how do can you possibily say the FEDS are doing their job when it comes to illegals? BS. Aripiao for PRESIDENT
Hey Obama has an election to win next year. He can't have the Sheriff sending his voters back to Mexico. It's the same reason he can't have States requiring voters to show a photo ID. Does anybody really believe he isn't pulling this now to take care of it before November 2012.
Where is the evidence that the federal government is not enforcing the laws ? In Ariz ., California , Tex . , Colo., N.M. , Alabama , Georgia ,Utah , need I go on ?
Me:)
For every "illegal immigrant" deported; two more enter the U.S. In fact Obama is actually making it EASIER for illegal immigrants to enter the U.S.
The U.S. border with Mexico has been literally erased under an Obama agency program run by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol called the “Trusted Traveler” of North America.
The "Trusted Traveler" program is equivalent to saying that all politicians are honest.
Going for broke, what language do you speak? It can't be English because I just posted several paragraphs worth of stuff that clearly spells out what the federal government is doing in Arizona with respect to illegal immigration. Get someone who speaks English to translate that into your language.
Hi Patricia Paulsan-A mom, I'm Jim-an Attorney. Sheriff Joe regularly conducts sweeps in AZ that nets plenty of American citizens. I'm not concerned with illegals. You seem to think if he gets one illegal then all the citizens are just collateral damage or some sort of nonsense. The violation of a single American citizen's 4th via 14th amendment rights is not acceptable. If you want the government to ignore your rights that's your prerogative. I won't and I will not demand American citizens of Hispanic heritage give up theirs.
You want to get rid of illegals, fine, let's do it. But not by demolishing the rights of other American citizens that aren't like us (I'm assuming we are of similar, that is, European heritage).
ROY WILSON-336103
Maybe Arizona should stop sending Washington the federal taxes collected on alcohol, tobacco products, petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel, heating fuel, etc.) and any other item federal taxes are presently collected on.
Arizona probably sends Washington more money than it gets back anyway.
@ Me .
With all due respect , I could care less what you post
I have lived in the southwest my entire life , so I don't need one of your posts to tell me what is happening .
Broke,
Right, you must be one of those who wake up at midnight to go sunbathing. Who is mother nature to tell you when the sun is shining. Enjoy the midnight rays and make sure you put on plenty of sunscreen.
What the hell are you trying to say ? Are you trying to tell me that you're mother nature ?
No, I'm Thorazine and you have been skipping me far too long. Try to double up and see if that helps.
Where is the evidence that the Federal Govt is worth a damn?
Leftsux , ask Me:) ,she's mother nature .
How can you be sure it's a she? And then you guys wonder why people think that most right-wingers are idiots. You are right-wingers because you are stupid and can't grasp the simplest concepts. Have a brew and don't worry too much about the world. Mother nature (and that would not be me) was cruel with you, but such is life.
If she is a he , then why is she/ he called Mother Nature ? By the way , have you libbies found the answer to the butterflies are free , why aren't we question yet ?
Goin for broke please address Me:) correctly. It is not a she. It is a transgendered homo sapian retardis.
Watch out. Place Holder will sue u. LOL
Leftsux , thanks for the political correctness help , I can use all of it that I can get .
Sure hope Holder doesn't sue me , I'll have to reduce the Goin' for broke nickname to plain ole broke .
You guys are a bunch of idiots. Local police are designed to be stop and prevent crime. If the person caught in the middle of crime, the person will be sent to holding. Any person who is to be release (from bail or even not guilty), his/her resident status must be verified prior to any release. In another words, Sheriff Joe is telling a "WHITE" lie to obscure the truth.
Given his past status of using SWAT, 2 armored vehicles, and a bus load of police to invade a home to arrest a suspect who may be raising chickens for cock fighting. 150 chickens, 2 peacocks and the suspect were home alone... Well, Sherif Joe was in a suit. Guess what, he ordered using the armored vehicle to run down someone's wall and gate to rescue the chickens.... PROBLEM, ALL THIS BS WAS DONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILM... Steven Seagal was there in the TANK with full miltary GEAR. COMPLETE FILM CREW WAS THERE!!! IT WAS A FREAKING HOLLYWOOD SHOW.
Please explain to me why the F, should the people in Arizona be paying for Hollywood movie or TV show???? These type of things are complete abuse of power and waste of tax payer's money. However, you chumps allow him to manipulate you to believe that this is about ILLEGALS???? Give me a break. This guy is using tax dollars to finance his next power trip and future job.
The only saving grace is that he is a dying breed.
After reading comments from the freeper degenerates that infect NV , its hard to believe only 73% of Latino americans think they are indifferent if not outright hostile to Latinos, the fastest growing voting demographic.
;;;
I am curious just how many of those who posted on this thread live in Arizona or even a border state for that matter. I bet some of you would be changing your tune a little bit.
Me:), you are suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
leftsux, make it a week. Not your first.
Gee Sally I see you Restored Comments that met your political views. Exactly what did you find so inflammatory about 1.7...The truth hurts?
Some people stick to their guns, usually they are BLOOD RED republicans. The ends always justifies the means for them, no matter who or what it costs. I'm against Joe because I think he is an egomaniac and abuses his power. I don't care what the statistics are, racial profiling is plain wrong and goes against fundamental human rights. Just because you are the toughest sheriff in town doesn't give you the right to overlook civil rights and excuse your responsibilities as a public servant. That's right! He is supposed to serve US, the civilians, the people of Maricopa county…regardless of race, creed, religion, or political affiliation. (I live in AZ btw.)
Guess what? Even if a Latino is stopped or held by police they don't have to co-operate with them. Due to Miranda vs. Arizona where we get the "Miranda Warning" from. Even suspected illegals are supposed to be read these rights and can invoke them at any time. The only part that doesn't apply to them is an assigned attorney…they must pay for the attorney themselves. The following applies to ANYONE who is taken into custody.
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), was a landmark 5–4 decision of the United States Supreme Court. The Court held that both inculpatory and exculpatory statements made in response to interrogation by a defendant in police custody will be admissible at trial only if the prosecution can show that the defendant was informed of the right to consult with an attorney before and during questioning and of the right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police, and that the defendant not only understood these rights, but voluntarily waived them. This had a significant impact on law enforcement in the United States, by making what became known as the Miranda rights part of routine police procedure to ensure that suspects were informed of their rights. The Supreme Court decided Miranda with three other consolidated cases: Westover v. United States, Vignera v. New York, and California v. Stewart.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
As you see, we are talking about no "person". Not resident or citizen. That being said, I very much doubt that most arrested in the Arpaio sweeps were given the options above. Especially since they have no way of knowing who is a citizen and who is not, but still trying to charge the individuals as criminals. Just because I'm tan/brown doesn't mean that you automatically assume I am not a legal citizen of the US. Also, in other cases when language is a barrier, law enforcement is REQUIRED to provide a translation/translator.
United States v. Garibay points out another important matter in regards to expansion of the Miranda v. Arizona ruling. Mr. Garibay was arrested and never received his warnings. They failed to receive a waiver of these rights as well. Mr. Garibay was a man that barely spoke English and clearly showed a lack of understanding. "“…the agent admitted that he had to rephrase questions when the defendant appeared confused”[10] The court ruled that the waiver of rights was not valid due to the defendant’s lack of I.Q. and English language skills. The court investigated many facets of his waiver and discovered that Mr. Garibay was missing all of those items that they were looking for. He never signed a waiver, he only received his warnings verbally, and in English, and no interpreter was provided although there were ones available. The lack of translated Miranda warnings adds another twist to the Miranda v. Arizona case.
The facts are that Arpaio and his posse have side stepped rights and procedures that allot all humans due process of law. His tactics promote and enable profiling. This is why he is in trouble and based on the evidence found, should be held accountable.
@ Patricia Paulson-A Mom What generation are you? Did you know that all your ancestors come into this country illegally to steal the Native Americans' land? to kill them if they refused to let them take them and to rape and murder their woman and children? and you dare make that stupid comment.... Can you be more hypocrite?
I am so glad that the DOJ got this SOB. He is a racist Bstrd just like every one who agrees and supports him. He claims to uphold the law when he himself is raping it. If you are christian and were before Jesus and he asked you "do you think what your are doing is fair and just?" What would you answer?
No, Joe, you're a disgrace to the great state of Arizona. I used to be able to boast about living here, but now thanks to unpatriotic and un-American officials like Joe Arpaio, I have to hang my head in shame when I admit to being from Arizona. He was put in his position to protect his constituents, not oppress them.
Joe may have met his match. Up until now, his fights have been primarily at the local level. U.S. DoJ is another matter entirely. The only thing going for Joe is the local venue.
You too can move you left wing ass to Mexico, We dont need you here, you dont belong, We want the meskins gone . Are you so dense that you cant understand.
Joe A. as sheriff is a sad day for Arizonans and Americans, his fake tough guy scene has worn thin time for this one to go home(retirement village).
Save the melodrama Toasty.
The meskins Stormbringer? Somewhere a third grade class is missing it's clown.
Sorry Thinker, I just take constitutional liberties very seriously.
Soooooooooooo true. Arpaio is such a terrible shame for our state. His despicable behavior constitutes a terrible embarrassment to any thinking Republican and eventually, will get him in more and more trouble and eventually, the negative press this guy gets will just be far too, too embarrassing for any thinking Republican and/or any Christian to put up with. But Arpaio lacks any self discipline and is continually embarrassing the majority of Maricopa County residents. He just lacks any reasonable approaches to the treatment of other human beings. I pity him when he leaves this world and has to give an account of his behavior to his maker
I think Joe has it right!
And I take illegal immigration seriously. The Feds have nothing on him and this is nothing more than political posturing by the libtard administration in Washington.
If the Feds had done their job and protected our borders like they should have, we wouldn't have to worry about any Sheriff Joes stepping up to the plate and doing their job for them.
~
stormbringer-4070105, my sentiments, exactly.
stormfront,,,I mean bringer, Why thde fck don't you move down to Mexico, its the low tax paradise you cons have benn yearning for, of course you wont have the first world infrastructure and breathtaking corruption...but why dont you go galt and leave already?
because he decided to invade Arizona instead.
This is just a smokescreen to distract us from Fast and Furious. They sealed the records and pretty much told BP Agent Brian Terry's family to sod off and they need someone, yes, to be the whipping boy so they can look good again. Meanwhile, the weapons are in Mexican Cartel's hands, courtest of the Feds. Then conveniently, they can get this all past the lemmings and try to get gun control laws in the works, thus making themselves look like they are doing busy work.
I am Hispanic, and i would love to shake Sheriff Joe's hand and thank him for his hard work. I laugh at the idiots who have no clue, no real clue as to what these illegals are capable of. Lived amongst them as a kid, got the heck away as soon as I grew up and started earning my own living.
I love all the teabaggers going on about their how much they love the constitution then they stomp all over it as soon as the protections built in to it get in their way. I was glad to see the "love it or leave it" crowd out here today... haven't seen much of that well thought out argument in awhile.
Can't wait to see faux-macho guy Sheriff Joe parading around in pink boxer shorts, eating mold-ridden bologna sandwiches. Ol' Joe is just reaping what he's sown ... he's a pathetic coward.
This guy is an embarrassment to law enforcement and needs to be tossed - STAT.
Pray tell, BV, what specifically do you say the government isn't doing to enforce the border?
stormbringer-4070105, you are suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
@stormbringer-4070105 What we do not need is Crp like you here. you pledge the legions to the flag stating liberty and justice for all and still have the Hommer Simpson mentality and brain. People like you are a disgrace to this Great country... Any rebut to this comment will be prove on the pc of crp you have become....
@Nana-2180798 you back to school and study US History. What a piece of ignorant crp. Mexicans were already in the State of Arizona Before the US INVADED Mexico. You like your ancestors are thieves.
More specifically, this PIG is a disgrace to the human race.....I'm sure there is a nice warm place for him when he chokes on his Porterhouse steak.
you two must be Mexicans
Equality - just make sure you wash the dishes when he is done.
Left wing liberal pig . When the war starts i hope your the first ! YOu too can move to mexico and be with your liberal swine brethern
Stormbringer, go back to your KKK meetings. No law enforcement official has the right to circumvent the 4th amendment.
That's going to be up to the courts to decide. Not you, not me, not even Sheriff Joe or Eric Holder.
And kill the KKK accusations. It just makes you look like an idiot.
"And kill the KKK accusations. It just makes you look like an idiot."
No, not at all. There are many instances where faux-tough guy Sheriff Joe has palled around with known neo-nazi, white supremacist organizations.
So, no. Dem in Texas doesn't look like an idiot - he/she is speaking the truth. You however, being a Sheriff Joe apologist, looks like the idiot.
As a third generation Arizonan, I can tell you that there really was a time not too long ago that we in Maricopa county - the Phoenix metro area - had reliable, professional county law enforcement that augmented the various city police agencies and provided law enforcement to the outlying unincorporated areas of the county. The MCSO's (Maricops County Sheriff's Office) primary responsibilty is to run the county jails and deliver detainess to trial. "Detainees" is the operative word here. Over 75% of county jail inmates have not been convicted of any crime, yet Arpaio uses them as stage props in his never-ending self-promotional television gigs.
Arpaio has brought disgrace, political prosecutions against those he perceieves as enemies, ruined countless innocent lives, and brought huge monetary loss (nearly 200 million) to the taxpayers of the county, and trust me.....there will be dancing in the streets when his last day in office arrives.
To those who defend him....well.....you just don't know Joe about it.
The real investigation should be on the Justice Dept. , where there is no justice at all in reality but in fact only a political agenda manipulated by corporate and elite money. Follow the money, its always about the unethical and immoral money in Federal government...
Racist moron
Drinking your cup of Joe Kool Aid early this morning, aren't ya?
Sheriff Joe acts like a belligerent dictator from a country that receives Federal aid. Give me the money and I will do what I want not what the constitution requires. Too many states and sheriffs have been down that road in the past and it leads to the same place. A dead end where bigots, racists and misanthropes meet to advance their own cause.
crimes against kids not being investigated because the parents are hispinic? I wonder what other crimes he ignored in his fight against illegal immergrants.
There are over 400 sex crime cases that have either been improperly investigated or not investigated at all. His office (MCSO) has misspent 100 million dollars, misappropriation of funds, gone after (investigated) political rivals. There isn't a camera that this man doesn't love. And he's accusing the Obama administration of doing the same thing. He forgets that this investigation started under the Bush administration. People are tired of the millions of dollars it has cost it's taxpayers in all of the lawsuits filed against his office, the grandstanding everytime he does one of his "sweeps". I agree that we have an immigration problem in this country and yes it needs to be fixed, however there has got to be a better way than his way.
Sheriff Joe say - White pedophile A-OK! Latino jaywalker, beeeeeg beeeeeg threat.
I did 60 days for DUI in tent city and I deserved every minute of it but little boy blue is a viral man. His jail is infested with nepotism from his wife who owns the company that supplies Maricopa County Inmates with their famous Pink Underwear to his half mentally retarded cousin that owns and operates ALL vending machines on the jail campus to his racist rapist (twice) cousin that supplies the spoiled meats for his famous $.50 lunches. He has Maricopa resident under his thumb. He's a little pussy that got picked on when he was young and is taking it all out with a vengeance today. Like I said, I deserved every one of those 60 days but don't feed me contaminated food. I also watched a Hispanic man wait for over 7 hours for medical attention, all that was wrong was a ruptured spleen. There is a reason Maricopa County pays over 10 million each year in lawsuits and it all starts with this unbelievable little man with a HUGE Napoleon complex.
Real American citizens have made real bona fide complaints that their Constitutional rights were violated. Ergo, the Feds were obliged to investigate. Someone has to police the police. How would you like it if you called the cops and they did not come? Sheriff Joe does not get to break the law to enforce the law. What if Eisenhower let Little Rock, AK and Gov. Faubus have their way in 1957?
Illegal aliens, have nothing in common with what you're referring to in Little Rock. That was about rights being denied to "American Citizens"!
It is the same thing, rights denied to any human being, is rights denied and in violation of the law. I was in
Phoenix, AZ on business not long ago and I was stopped while walking with a business colleague of mine who is white. I am of hispanic descent and born in New York City. A deputy asked me where I was from and I asked why? He said I looked different and he needed identification from me. I informed him if he was going to ask my friend also, and he said he's asking the questions not me. Long story short, I showed him my ID and he made a remark of fake ID's are a favorite of brown skins. This deputy had no right to ask me for ID, my rights were violated just because I am latino and born in the USA. The police must be policed because if not, we are dangerously headed back to the past when minorities could not safely walk the streets and "white only" signs were posted everywhere. This is America and laws must be protected and not manipulated. Wake up people and set aside political sentiment and rhetoric.
Chris Montanez... Nice story...Not sure that I am buying it but whatever....So I guess when you went through the airport in order to get to Phoenix you didn't allow the TSA (Thousands of Sexual Assailants) to put you through any kind of scanners or pat downs because that would have violated your rioghts correct....
Thought so.
@bullet45-3234791: Nice try. Flying on a commercial airplane is a privilege. Walking down the street is right. Apples and Oranges. Drinking your Joe Kool Aid early this morning, aren't ya?
even read the DOJ report?
Did you skip over the report of legal hispinic citzens being arrested for no cause and detained?
or how over 50% of all traffic stops without tickets being given (stops without cause) is of hispinic drivers
A lot of the people he has detained have been American citizens, but because they looked Hispanic he arrested them anyway. Defend that, if you can.
Chris Montanez, I agree with you. That's what you get with Republicans, in my opinion.
I am embarassed to have to correct this (or admit it), but Sherrif Joe is a Dem, not a Republican.
Don't do the crime, don't do the time....simple
You're no whipping boy for the Feds?Birds of a Feather of a Feather Arpaio.
You screwed with people's constitutional rights,and so are feds.
YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER!
I have come to a point where I absolutely hate my govt. How can you not hate them with every fiber of your very being when they completely ignore the will of the people and have pretty much been doing so for decades. Oh sure, there might be a couple of liberals and even conservatives out there who don't mind the illegals but the vast majority of us, United States citizens, both liberal/democrat and conservative/republicans, want our govt to stop the hordes of illegals from crossing over into our country. We've been yelling this at the top of our lungs for years but our govt continues to ignore us and do as they please. Not only do they ignore us, they go after those who actually try and do something to stop the invasion. Families, tell your soldier sons and daughters ahead of time to not fire on the people when they are eventually ordered to do so. Tell'em to stand with us.
Problem in the past was when BIG BUSINESS even drove buses down to the border and brought back
hundreds of illegal aliens to work in Tyson's Hog and Chicken plants..........we want cheap food and they
wanted bigger profits. Now Arkansas has the third largest illegal population in the U.S. And who are
the owners that did this, big money republicans. Now the people have established families here. Who are you going to blame now ? What is the solution ?
mresvit I am in full agreement with you.
Way to go Joe!!!!!
Thinker, so you're for abolishing the 4th amendment? This is what Joe is doing, he's ignoring the 4th amendment. It's not about illegal immigration, it's about citizens getting arrested for being Latino.
God bless ya, Joe!!!
If the Feds can't do their job, you can!!!
Dem in Texas,
Then you wouldn't have a problem with people who aid and give assistance to illegal aliens knowingly, being prosecuted to the fullest extent of our laws? Since 65% of all illegal aliens are mexican nationals, and another 18% to 21% are from countries south of mexico. How would you suggest law enforcement aggressively go after them without it looking like they're just going after Latino's? Don't you think this is a problem illegal aliens and those who enable them have created themselves?
Yeah! Sherriff Joe way to go. Do what the feds refuse to do and protect the citizens of the USA. Great job. Keep it up.
You realize what he's doing is arresting American citizens right? Protect the citizens? How do you suppose he's doing that when he's throwing them in jail?
He lets child rapist go free. Anybody Who Supports Joe Supports Child Rape.
Please elaborate on what you're talking about, 1noone.
noone please provide a link. I despise this man but an accusation of that sort really requires some back up evidence.
The sheriff's office has acknowledged to federal authorities that 432 cases of sexual assault and child molestation were not properly investigated over a three-year period ending in 2007, and many of the victims apparently were Latinos, the Justice Department said.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/15/justice/arizona-justice-department-investigation/index.html
This is what noone was referencing. Sheriff Joe ignored over 400 sex crimes.
Where do I send the money for Joe's defense...Joe for PRESIDENT!!!!
Sheriff Joe ---we (non hyphenated) AMERICANS are on your side. We're tired of our taxes going to the care and feeding of ILLEGALS. We're tired of being crime victims where the perpetraters are ILLEGALS.
Anyone who is soft in the head to think that the ILLEGALS need a break--then YOU take then into your home. YOU pay for their care an feeding, YOU pay their medical bills. Then YOU watch then steal everything that isn't tied or nailed down!!!
Sheriff Joe regularly violated the civil rights of American citizens and you applaud him. What a joke. We have an immigration problem but that doesn't mean you can take mine, or any other American citizen's, civil rights away. If you want to give that up to the Feds that's your deal, but I'm not.
We need to fix the problem, but I can not, and will not, support anyone that says Latino American citizens must be relegated to 3/5 of a person status. Taking rights from American citizens based upon their heritage is racism and un-American.
All bull. The crime and drug trafficking is in latino areas of Phoenix and the rest of the stste of Arizona. If you have a cracked windshield, missing lic plate, broken tail light, are speeding or breaking other traffic laws you will be pulled over and if u can't speak English and can't produce a driver's license you will be detained as a suspected illegal alien no matter what Barry and Holder say and or do. The American people will put their money where there mouths are and Joe's legal team will make O.J.'s look like amateurs and Barry and Holder will get bitch slapped. Amen.
Well, while some citizens are harrassed perhaps, why don't we look to our Head of State, and realize HE wont get tough on illegal immigration, when HALF OF HIS FAMILY is ILLEGALS themselves. In other countries, ALL CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY proof of citizenship in the form of a national ID card. It isnt that damned difficult to do the same thing here. People can carry a social security card, or a drivers license, or even a debit card in their wallet. So why not carry a national ID card? That ID card can be used for VOTER Verification (eliminating any fraud), can be used as a form of ID to cash checks, can be used as a form of ID for proving age (reduction in selling booze and cigs to minors), can even be used for future things requiring positive ID.
Even the military carries an ID card containing DNA information on it. Imagine that, a chance to put an end to John Does. But the bottom line is, the immigration issue is broke, and you can't expect a hypocrit in the white house to fix the problem. Aunty and Uncle DUI guy, sure as shootin have been here for EONS illegally while THEN SENATOR Obama didn't do squat to uphold our laws. Not turning in a known lawbreaker is called AIDING and ABEDDING, but I guess thats called executive priviledge. No, its about time someone tried to secure our borders. And if Sheriff Joe has stepped on a few toes in trying to do that, well it sure beats NOT DOING ANYTHING like our federal government has been doing for years.
It is sad that American Citizens have to bear the brunt of the inadequacies of the inaction of the federal government. Especially when those law makers take an oath to Uphold the Laws of our land, when they themselves routinely break them with little or no consequence. It is about time we demanded MORE of those whom our tax payer dollars are used for their wages. HOLD THEM to the same standard, we as the governed are...
I thought the constitution applied to American citizens because it was Americans that created it for US! Why would it cover all people of the world if they should come here illegally????
Because it's the right thing to do. Sherriff Arpaio is acting outside the law for his own aggrandizement. Be a man Joe and don't blame the government for what you've brought upon yourself and the people of the great state of Arizona. Reminds me of Mayor Coleman Young thumbing his nose at the federal government causing a loss of funds to the city of Detroit for over a decade. A loss that led to the deterioration of roads and bridges in the city. Now the Mayor was doing this to protect his corrupt criminal enterprize from investigation by the justice dept and it seems Sherrif Joe is doing it strictly out of egotism, but the result will be the same.
When he pulls over every latin looking driver, most here legally, he violates that individuals rights and when he violates one persons rights he violates all our personal rights. Like every despot, he goes after those with no political clout but watch out Joe, Latinos are gaining clout, economic clout. Look what's happening in Alabama. Right wing hate politics are on the wane witnessed by the decline in ratings for conservative talk radio. ie: Limbaugh, Beck et al.
Sheriff Joe is the face of what is wrong in the republican camp. A bully, a bigot and a mean spirited hate monger.
I POSTED TOO EARLY..Where do I send the money for Joe's defense..JOE FOR PRESIDENT...Not Biden
We have been invaded by soldiers from a foreign country whose job is to cause chaos and bring us to the brink of economic failure. We are almost broke and we have 22 million of the enemy on our soil . What ya gonna do , fight or quit .
05/05/2012 we bring the fight to them. We stand with you Sheriff Joe.
Maybe you should change your name to stormtrooper, because the man you seem to love sing the same tactics
Typical anonymous scared chickenhawk.
Does sunny-dave have something to hide? Do we need to call ICE?
Break into my house...I kill you..Break into my country...Well , lets see. I look the other way...NOT GONNA HAPPEN...Detain them all....GO JOE!! DEPORTATION IS LIKE FISHING, Once you let them go, they ALWAYS come back!!!
boffer, you obviously haven't read the article nor are you aware of the issue. The issue is the arrest/detention of legal citizens who broke no laws. What is it that you have against the U.S. Constitution?
Poor Joe, looking like the douchebag we here in Arizona know you are. Enjoy the last year of your term Joe. Another 12 months and you'll be quilting in Fountain Hills with your wife.
One bite on the butt for you Sheriff Joe.
Dozzer Doggie says wait a moment, he'd like to help.
Looks like Half&Half, Eric, Janet, Toasty and others really want AZ to formally become a narco state.
No, I just want Maricopa county to stop violating the constitutional rights of its citizens.
No, you want Arizona to slowly become a part of Meh-kee-ko and turned into a 3rd World sh!thole.
"No, you want Arizona to slowly become a part of Meh-kee-ko and turned into a 3rd World sh!thole."
Technically, Arizona used to be part of Mexico. And, the "good" government of Arizona is doing a fine job all on its own in looking like a 3rd World sh*thole.
If you don't like it, clear out. Move to Cuidad Juarez where you can dodge bullets all day.
The current government administration will attack and degrade anyone that makes them look bad or incompetent...which is pretty much anyone doing their job! This is the most pathetic do-nothing administration; their only goal is to make illegals legal in time to vote them back in for 4 more years of do-nothing government. *vomit*
You do realize that our current president has deported more undocumented workers than any other president before him, right?
Molly - I'll wait for the link from a respected source verifying this drivel you're putting out here.
Arpaio is a chief law enforcement official. As such, he is expected to know the law and how to enforce it without violating the constitutional rights of his fellow citizens. It sounds like DOJ has a lot on him. He's going to cost the state of Arizona a lot of money in judgments against the state for his willful violations of other Americans' rights. If he has violated people's constitutional rights, in a way that indicates that he intentionally ignored the problem, he has abused his office. Arpaio's assertion that he is a "whipping boy" for some sort of politically motivated witchhunt sounds like a crock 'o' s*it. He sounds like a guy who just plain doesn't give a damn about what he does to other people, and he got caught at it.
couldn't agree more, except you said "constitutional rights of fellow citizens" and "Americians' rights" the illegals are just that, ILLEGAL, i don't care how anyone tries to justify their rights, they have none... they're illegal, GET IT???
Actually, I seem to remember that there are several rights that are not dependent on formal citizenship, but it's late and I'm too tired to look them up. However, I've seen several articles about the investigation of Arpaio today, and I've seen mention of people who actually are legal citizens whose rights allegedly were denied by this guy. Look, this man is no saint. He seems more like a lawless arrogant ass who thinks he's king. He's not. Just because his parents never taught him what the word "no" means, and never taught him to respect his fellow human beings, doesn't mean that the rest of us need to treat him like he's a god or something. This little boy is way too big for his britches. If he's done anything to a citizen or legal immigrant, he needs to do time in the pokey and the people of Arizona will have to pony up. He knows the rules. It was HIS CHOICE to violate them. And HIS CHOICE to lie about it. GET IT???
I guess it is safe to say there is no state government, only if the federal government allows it. When you have more than 10 million illegals, how can you pretend you are enforcing the law? When we have gone from a single language country to a dual language country... how can you pretend you have been enforcing the laws?
Imagine... what crime will be like when they finally manage to defeat Sheriff Joe's efforts to UPHOLD THE LAWS that he was ELECTED to do BY THE PEOPLE!
There wil be a HUE AND CRY from the citizens like you cannot believe when the ILLEGALS TAKE OVER Arizona and the crime rates will equal Mexico's!!!
WHAT WILL THE DOJ AND OBUMMER AND NAPOLITANO DO THEN?
He is still beholden to the US constitution which he violated repeatedly. Being a Latino is not probable cause of anything.
When Joe's ousted, and replaced, and then the thousands pour in illegally, what will you do then??
Open them arms wide and welcome them. Just don't ask me to pay for them . ANYONE who comes here ILLEGALLY IS A TERRORIST!!!!...What part of that don't you all understand?
You can blame your hero Joe for that. For violating the civil rights of legal citizens and losing the ability to detain illegals.
Not all of the illegals who cross the borders are drug lords or smugglers. As many of you know out there in cyberland most of them are here to do the menial labor that Americans will not and refuse to do such as agricultural work, housekeeping, landscaping and other varieties of work. Then we have those who are not here illegally to which this story points to and not about how wonderful Sheriff Joe is at acting out what many fantasize about and that is being above the law and doing as you please no matter who is harmed in doing it. This is what I am taking away from some of these mindless posts I read on here. It reminds me of listening to a sixth grader complain about their milk being too warm and not enough time for recess and their dog ate their homework.
It IS ILLEGAL to be in any country without the proper documentation. What makes Hispanics any different than those who came through the gates years ago. The Irish, the Jews, all of us. We have laws and the federal government only wants to enforce the laws when it's conveniant for them. They want the Hispanic vote. These people have been used enough. Enforce the laws. Stay within theconstitution, but do your job. If you want to live here then get citizenship papers and do it right. The more we make it ok for them to stay here illegally the more people take advantage of them. They get beaten, cheated, blackmailed and sometimes, killed and they have no recourse because they are illegal. Anyone can come here but people we have to have rules or terrorists and all kinds of people will drive right on in our country and we will be facing another 911. Our borders must be secured.
Be careful what you wish for. Right now the government views illegal immigration more as a civil infraction than a criminal infraction. I know, you'll demand they declare it criminal, but once they do that then every illegal gets an attorney provided by the state. Thanks for creating huge job opportunities in my career field, but that seems expensive. And you'll say, "but they're not citizens." True, but you have to prove it in court first. You know, the whole prosecution has the burden of going forward (innocent until proven guilty in non legal terms)? Can't just declare someone illegal until you prove it beyond a preponderance, no sorry, now it's criminal so beyond a reasonable doubt.
The more pressure you put on the criminal aspect the more money we'll spend. The constitution limits the awesome (meaning large not wonderful) power of the government in favor of the individual.
And you say "enforce the laws" which sounds good but is hard. Getting rid of the illegals in the country now could cost hundreds of billions or even a few trillion dollars. Want to lower that number? I guess suspend the 4th amendment (or 4th via 14th if you are empowering the state). Maybe you're willing to do that.
I'm not.
What do u call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the Rio Grande?
FDR did it with the Japanese during WWII. We should do it with lawyers now.
Oh my. One of the major disgraces of that war. Lock up one race while working to free another.
Disgusting, this country is broken and the bigots are taking over.
How many U.S. citizens will leave this country in the next 5 years seeking refugee status with the direction this country is going?
It doesn't matter who holds any office in Washington, new Congress members aren't likely to change anything. Neither party in the White House will fix any of this.
The only thing that changes the direction we're heading is for those already in Washington to wake up & realize how screwed up they're making everything. Not gonna happen, they are all blissfully unaware.
They are the person who thinks they are a fantastic driver and Bernie Ecclestone should be calling, all the while they could just look in their rear view mirror, see the carnage they're leaving behind, and understand why that phone isn't ringing.
It's easier for our elected representatives to tell themselves they're doing a bang up job and ignore what is really happening around the country. It's easier for them to believe they're great than to do their job and listen to the people who elected them instead of counting the cash and repaying promises for dollars instead of repaying promises to the people of their districts.
Illegal immigration is an issue that is difficult enough to solve without incompetent bigots like Arpaio wasting already strained resources to harass LEGAL immigrants and infringe upon the rights of AMERICAN citizens who have the misfortune of not appearing Anglo enough for his taste.
Well how bright does one have to be to figure if we are looking for the illegals who have come up here from Mexico, how many are going to be white? i'M sick and tired of the Feds doing nothing but taking our freedoms away, setting up detention camps for US Citizens THEY decide they want to pick up on trumped up charges, and in meantime not enforcing any of the laws we have in place but we sure as H--- can pay our taxes to them. Obama has all but destroyed this nation. Dear God, Save our Nation!
I guess you weren't paying attention during the previous administration when exercising your rights got you monitored by the feds of the political right.
IOKIYAR strikes again.
You are kidding right? Just trolling to be funny? 'cuz what I just read is:
"Since you're not white, you just might be an illegal immigrant" - You do realize that the majority of people that were here "before your family" (I'm guessing that you're of European/white ancestry) are not actually white, right? Can you, SA in AZ, (or any of you 'experts on illegals') honestly tell me that you can tell that someone is or is not 'illegal' by looking at them? There are a LOT of Native American people in Arizona (open up your eyes once in a while and look around you). They are not "white"....nor are they 'illegal'....if anything, I'd say that they have more of a 'right' to be here than most 'white' people. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that you have no idea how to tell the difference between a Native American person and a person from Mexico...or Cuba....or Brazil...or.....you get the picture.
The BIGGEST 'problem' is that there are people that are "legal" that are having their rights violated. "How many?" you may ask. I say "Any number over zero is TOO MANY".
I'm sure that since it hasn't happened to you, that you think, "It's no big deal. So one or two American citizens are a little inconvenienced." WRONG!!!! I bet if it WAS you, you'd be complaining louder than anyone else that your "Constitutional rights are being violated!!!", but it's okay if it's not you, right? And how long does "being inconvenienced" last? A couple of hours? A couple of days? How about four days in jail because you don't have your passport with you? (you know, like the college student that was in jail for 4+ days recently)
Stop and think about it....if you were 'that guy' that was being thrown in jail because you 'looked like an illegal' even though you are an American citizen, what would you be saying then? "No problem, I know I look like an illegal immigrant, so I understand why I'm in jail for a broken tail light." And what if it was Eric Holder doing this kind of bunk...really really really ask yourself....would you be saying, "Right on Eric! You keep our country safe!".....no, you would not. If you can't support WHAT is being done even if it's being done by someone that you don't like, then you should question if it's the WHAT or the WHO that you are supporting.
I live in Arizona. I am embarassed to admit that, because when I do, people inevitably ask about "Sheriff Joe". He's NOT protecting the rights/livelihoods of Arizonans....he's jumping up and down on the Constitution because he likes to be in the limelight. You guys that think that he's somehow 'saving us from those scary illegals' have no idea what you're talking about. I read a post earlier about him being at some high-profile crime scene wearing a suit and a tie...that person was not kidding. Sheriff Joe is more concerned about looking like he's some sort of (dare I say it?) MAVERICK, than actually doing what is right for Arizona, and by extension, the United States.
What I think is most laughable is that the majority of the people that 'support' Sheriff Joe bring up "following the Constitution". Try reading the Constitution. Then think about what is happening. Then be afraid. Because if you think that it is alright for Sheriff Joe to detain people that HE thinks are 'bad' with no evidence other than what they look like, how hard would it be to imagine someone deciding what YOU look like is now "bad", and taking away YOUR rights? Blonde hair/blue eyes, anyone?
Sheriff, You do what ever you gotta do to keep your county safe. Uncle Sam doesn't appear too eager to help you protect citizens of your county (or state or nation for that matter). Don't LET THE FEDS FORGET that the person you ask "Are you a US citizen" could just as easily be a cop killer, a drug mule or a gang member here to expand their territory. I sure am glad that the US government is so interested in protecting the rights of someone that could be committing a crime maybe one day they may be interested in protecting the rights of people that aren't committing crimes, naw, wishful thinking.
The person you ask "are you an US citizen" could be a US citizen. It would be a lot easier to fight crime if there was no 4th amendment at all. Maybe you should lobby for its repeal since you hate freedom so much.
Enlighten us John, what is the point of keeping safe a country that can't even respect the rights of its own citizens?
"ITS NOT, WHAT YOUR COUNTRY, CAN DO FOR YOU......IT'S WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY"
WHO SAID THAT?? A third of you may not know...He was assasinated in 1963.
The guy violates constitutional rights on a mass scale and the only recourse against him ... is sueing?
Joe Arpiao is just trying to do what the feds won't do - protect America.
Go, Joe.
Against American citizens? We are truly in trouble if none of us can be trusted with constitutional rights. Or is it just people not like you?
Protect America from who Joe has spent millions of dollars on who knows what while children are being Raped anybody who supports Haywire Joe supports child rapists.
Joe is a douche bag. He lets rapists and child molesters walk so that he can harass Mexicans? And you people defend him? Jesus, Joseph and Mary, what about priorities, folks? This idiot is just a jackbooted thug, jerk off headline grabber who is scamming everybody into thinking that he is something special. He just wants power, not true law and order. He is a reality TV star. I'd bet a couple of month's pay that someday he'll be busted for under the table money.
Micheal I will bet a couple months of your pay to that you will be busted for slander. Your comments are degrading of your own dignity.
He's right jj.
<h2>Michael: You are the douche bag!</h2>