Sheriff Joe Arpaio Separates Mother from Children, Immigrant Crack Down

Two young children were separated from their mother, Ciria Lopez, in Maricopa County, Arizona earlier this week when she was arrested for an unpaid traffic ticket. The arrest was the result of an immigrant suppression sweep by Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who gained infamy for reinstating chain gang labor and dressing predominately Latino inmates at his county jail in pink underwear, pink handcuffs, and striped jumpsuits.

Salvador Reza, a local community organizer, captured video of the arrest and the reaction of Mrs. Lopez's frightened children. The video below was featured this morning on The Board, a blog shared by editorial writers at The New York Times. Mrs. Lopez's children are staying with her niece while Mrs. Lopez remains in custody.

Ciria Lopez appeared in court today, facing fines for an unpaid traffic ticket from 2006. Judge James Mapp cleared Mrs. Lopez of all municipal charged after the ticket was paid. Sheriff Arpaio continues to hold Mrs. Lopez under his 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Despite criticism from Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Arizona Ecumenical Council, and the Anti-Defamation League, The Fox Reality Channel offered Sheriff Arpaio a reality TV show entitled, "Smile, You're Under Arrest." The show centers around elaborate sting operations run by Sheriff Arpaio to capture people wanted on outstanding warrants.

According to the East Valley Tribune, the focus on immigration enforcement has negatively affected other areas of law enforcement in Maricopa County. Response time to 911 calls has increased, arrest rates have dropped, and overtime costs related to immigration enforcement ran up a $1.3 million deficit over the final three months of 2008.

Comments

[Mares]

10:10 PM on 02/13/2009

What's more, the corrupt Mexican billionaire who gets fatter bleeding Mexican poor people dry, now owns a huge chunk of the New York Times, he's owned a portion of that paper for years now, and just keeps buying up more. It explains why the Times promotes illegal immigration, and refuses to report on the economic crisis brought about by displacing citizens in the workplace, increasing un/underemployment and the poverty and homelessness brought about by the same.

[Mares]

10:09 PM on 02/13/2009

Something that hasn't been mentioned here. Judge Mary Murguia is also the sister of National Council of La Raza (the race), Janet Murguia, who takes untold millions from the US Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable, the historic enemies of the minimum wage, wage standards, workplace protections, food and product safety laws, environmental protections. All to provide the US Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable cover, for their agenda to drag America's workers down to third world standards. Ms. Murguia shouts "racist" "xenophobia" while pocketing millions, and the US Chamber of Commerce and Business Roundtable have a smokescreen to hide behind, while they subvert our laws.

Ms. Murguia was also instrumental with Rahm Emanual in promoting NAFTA, which has displaced American citizens in the workplace, leading to the erosion of our middle class. It has also harmed Mexican farmers. NAFTA was a scam to allow the same standard operating procedures that went on in Mexico to be imposed here. No one lifts the poor out of poverty in Mexico, while allowing illegals to remain in the US. They need to go home, and demand their home government honor their promises to raise wages and increase opportunities. Mexico can afford it, it's the 14th wealthiest country in the world, with a large and thriving middle class, many billion and millionaires, a tax base upon which it can raise even more revenue.

[The Class West]

12:08 PM on 01/22/2009

The Class West is acting as spokespersons for the proposed classes of citizens filing a $350,000,000 class action lawsuit against The City of Phoenix, et. al. for gross negligence in enforcing immigration laws; gross negligence in enforcing abatement of criminal nuisance laws; Title 42 civil rights violations of U.S. Citizens; and selective prosecution of opponents.

Our class representatives who will sign this lawsuit are tentatively Jason Okon; Elizabeth Okon; Albert Fernandez; Rick Galleener; and Anonymous, representing all similarly-situated US Citizens.

For more information write [e-mail] or call our reps at 203-434-9329.

[Humanleague002]

07:07 PM on 01/21/2009

Class West is not a lawyer. He's a deranged person pretending to be one. He has no law firm.

[The Class West]

09:37 PM on 01/21/2009

Who are you referring to? This writer is not a lawyer and who ever said that The Class West
is a lawyer or firm? The Class West is a blog name representing the proposed classes in the class action lawsuit against Phoenix. Our named representatives in the suit are: Jason Okon; Elizabeth Okon; Albert Fernandez; Rick Galleener; Bill Stoller; and "Anonymous."

You should investigate more before spouting off.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, spokespersons, representatives available at 203-434-9329.

[The Class West]

10:00 PM on 01/21/2009

The Class West is acting as spokespersons for the proposed classes of citizens filing a $350,000,000 class action lawsuit against The City of Phoenix, et. al. for gross negligence in enforcing immigration laws; gross negligence in enforcing abatement of criminal nuisance laws; Title 42 civil rights violations of U.S. Citizens; and selective prosecution of opponents.

Our class representatives who will sign this lawsuit are tentatively Jason Okon; Elizabeth Okon; Albert Fernandez; and Rick Galleener.

For more information write [e-mail] or call our reps at 203-434-9329.

[The Class West]

10:48 AM on 01/21/2009

Ms. Lopez-Pacheco has not been deported and has the benefit of American due process in the federal immigration courts. If Reza and Gilman, alleged "Reconquista" suppporters, were truly concerned for Ms. Lopez-Pacheco and her children, they would be doing some legal research and/or paying for a lawyer to defend her. Instead, they waste valuable time spewing propaganda in here and elsewhere.

We truly feel that these two WANT to see her deported, because then they have more distorted reasons to attack Sheriff Arpaio. We doubt that Reza, of Somos America, has ever footed the bill to assist an illegal alien file papers with USCIS. Rather he seeks to profit from illegal slave labor through a sweatshop operation he runs in Phoenix.

Regarding ulterior motives, Reza recently was soundly defeated by Sheriff Arpaio in federal court. He and others are also facing imminent defeat in a false and maliciously filed "racial profiling" suit that he filed against Sheriff Arpaio. Noteworthy is that the presiding judge in that case, Judge Murguia, is or was a close associate of or member of plaintiff Somos America, Reza's organization. That information will be presented to the Federal Ninth Circuit for investigation.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, [e-mail], our representatives at 203-434-9329 .

[The Class West]

01:51 PM on 01/21/2009

Update - According to "MisterZevon" below, Senora Ciria Lopez-Pacheco has been deported or has voluntarily returned to Mexico. We will assist her in getting a "hardship" visa if possible, because the legal representation in Mexico and Arizona is so inadequate.

We stand by other assertions made in our post and our prayers are with Ciria and the kids. We still do not fault Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the MCSO for doing their jobs in a nondiscriminatory manner when exigent circumstances in the pathetic state of Arizona are so severe.

[Humanleague002]

08:44 PM on 01/21/2009

Ray or Ted (or who ever you're pretending to be today)
We tryed getting legal councel. It you knew as much about the law as you preted to, you would understand the ICE and Immigration system and how it works.

And Sal Reza has never gone to federal (or any other) court over any Arpaio case or incident. Completely making things up to support Arpaio and his racial profiling is incredably low. Why Huf. Post allows it is beyond me.
You have not stated one true thing concerning Cira, Sal Reza or myself. You even misrepresent your own pretend lwsuit against Phoenix.
I'm ammased at your capacity to slander others while disregarding facts, film and documneted lawsuits (over 44 million dollors worth) already paid out because of Arpaio's coruption, behavior and mistreatment of people.

[The Class West]

10:14 PM on 01/21/2009

Somos America, Reza's organization, is a plaintiff in the "racial profiling" case, Melendres v Arpaio, US District Court, Phoenix. The lawsuit is a smokescreen to impede the lawful enforcement of immigration laws. Arpaio lawyer Tim Casey has filed a solid motion to Dismiss this case. The plaintiffs have filed a rare and desperate "interlocutory appeal" in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, San Francisco.

As we noted, the presiding Judge Murguia is/was a member, close associate, or ally of Somos America. As such, we allege that there is a conflict of interest in the case and Murguia should have recused herself long ago. We will ask for an investigation.

Now, Gilman, the viewers here will verify all of this information. They can get a copy of Melendres v Arpaio on the federal PACER system and will quickly see in the amended complaint that Salvador Reza is a member of plaintiff Somos America.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina

[The Class West]

10:24 PM on 01/21/2009

Gilman, we will send you a copy of the amended complaint in Melendres v Arpaio. Kindly send your request to Ms. Cocozza at [e-mail]. You will then see that SOMOS AMERICA, of which Reza is a member, stockholder, or close supporter, is a plaintiff against Arpaio. Reza is using a "dupe" plaintiff to get at Arpaio, as is Mayor Phil Gordon, who is using city employee and plaintiff, Jessica (Jessica) Rodriguez against Arpaio.

You can bet that Joe Arpaio sees the connection here. We are certain that his lawyers are taking appropriate action.

The Class West, Online and On Time, Ray and Ted Medina, 203-434-9329

[Humanleague002]

07:59 PM on 01/20/2009

Immigration and Customs Enforcement took custody of Ciria Lopez-Pacheco, the mother torn from her children January 9 by a ski-masked MCSO deputy as part of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's latest anti-immigrant sweep. ICE spokesman Vinnie Picard confirmed this.

Initially, Lopez was arrested in Arpaio's sweep because of an unpaid traffic ticket for driving on a suspended license. Not long after her arrest, she was taken before a municipal judge, the ticket was paid, and her warrant was quashed. A legal resident or a citizen would have been released at this point. But Lopez-Pacheco still had an ICE hold on her, because she was undocumented.

Actually, she never had a license, because she cannot obtain one as an illegal immigrant. She did keep her insurance and registration up to date, however. If she'd been given the opportunity to legally apply for a license, I'm sure she would have.

She told me she came to this country for a better life for her, and for her children. Thankfully, her boy, age 5, and her girl, age 7 are American citizens by birth, so no men in ski-masks can come and take them away. But as you can tell from the video taken of them by Phoenix civil rights activist Sal Reza shortly after their mom's arrest, those children will probably never forget the nightmare of having their mom snatched from them by a man in a black mask.

Written by Stephen Lemons and edited for length.

[The Class West]

09:26 PM on 01/20/2009

Lemons, a lying attack journalist and former porno writer for "Hustler," states,
"Actually, she never had a license..."

And she's in this country illegally, never having passed a road test, AND driving with two innocent children. We think Sheriff Arpaio and the MCSO might have saved her and the kids' lives.

Ms. Lopez-Pacheco HAS NOT been deported and most likely will be allowed to remain. She is not hiding anymore, to be taken advantage of by Salvador Reza, who profits from illegal labor in Phoenix.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, [e-mail], representatives at 203-434-9329.

[MisterZevon]

12:52 AM on 01/21/2009

What's the matter with Hustler? I hear they pay writers $1 a word. Larry Flynt's the man! He's the one with real CLASS...

[The Class West]

11:11 PM on 01/20/2009

We add that Salvador Reza created this problem by encouraging people like Ciria Lopez-Pacheco to violate American sovereignty and federal immigration laws. He could have easily assisted her in becoming a citizen. If he had, she would be with her children right now.

Instead of accepting responsibility, Reza seeks a scapegoat in Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Reza and his band of thugs also falsely cry racism; in fact, many of the Latinos in Phoenix are isolationist racists who refuse to integrate and accept our heterogenous culture. Reza allegedly has been overheard hurling racial epithets such as "white boy," "gringo,' and "Peckerwood" when referring to white people. If we get recordings, we will post them here.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina

[The Class West]

12:09 AM on 01/20/2009

Thanks again, Mr. Mendoza. Sheriff Joe Arpaio is rightfully enforcing immigration laws while the City of Phoenix allows illegal aliens to kill police officers and veterans. Our pending class lawsuit action against the City of Phoenix is posted at http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/01/election_plan_emerges_in_phoen.php. The claims allege gross negligence in enforcing federal immigration laws.

The Class West, Ray Medina, [e-mail], reps at 203-434-9329 .

[JuanMendoza]

08:52 PM on 01/19/2009

I'm a fan of Monica Sandschafer, even though we have differing views, she states her case and doesn't fabricate stories or facts nearly to the degree that Gilman does. She's well spoken, attractive(at least in my opinion), and is attached to a larger albeit crooked organization that at least makes an attempt at change(by alleged somewhat questionable means sometimes.)

However, her outbursts at the board meeting(applause) were not meant as a show of appreciation for the board, they were disruptive in nature as were previous visits to the BOS meetings. I'm not sure they should have been arrested, I'm not going to question a Deputy's actions, especially since I wasn't there, but they definitely needed to be escorted out of the meeting until they learned how to behave at a board meeting.

.. and before you whine, yes, the others applauded in direct response to a call for applause. Not random disruptive applause.

[The Class West]

10:31 PM on 01/19/2009

Very important information, so we will reconsider our opinion on whether the Sandschafer arrest was justified. It appears that possibly it WAS.

Keep up the great work, Juan Mendoza. We know for sure that Gilman is misrepresenting in here because of his inaccurate information about the jails. We have interviewed former inmates that we know are credible and accurate. Of course the jail conditions need improvement, but we know that they are not "torture chambers" as Gilman asserts.

The true Gilman is now seen as he colludes/conspires with Lemons and other NT personnel to arbitrarily censor our lawsuit. We are honored that they did this because it shows us that they fear the truth. It also shows that they do not care one iota about the veterans who are plaintiffs.

The Class West, Ray Medina, spokesperson, [e-mail], reps at 203-434-9329 .

[Humanleague002]

12:52 AM on 01/21/2009

The official footage is available and completely disputes what you are saying concerning the applause. Its kind of ridiculous when anyone can watch it and you still continue to lie.
And, for the record-Monica is a freind of mine and finds you repulsive.

[The Class West]

03:21 PM on 01/19/2009

Update - the cowards at Phoenix New Times have deleted our class action lawsuit against City of Phoenix and are manipulating their blogs as usual. The pending action was posted on one of their blogs.

You can get a copy and give us feedback by writing [e-mail]. thanks.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medi, [e-mail] .

[The Class West]

02:07 PM on 01/19/2009

Class action lawsuit against sanctuary city Phoenix at http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/01/election_plan_emerges_in_phoen.php#comments . You thought Sheriff Arpaio was bad? Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and his thugs are much worse.

Support immigration enforcement, give those kids a chance, Mommy.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, spokespersons

[Humanleague002]

02:32 PM on 01/19/2009

Rick Galleener was given a ticket (not arrested) for doing something in public that H. Post would censor if I printed when there was a public rest room 200 feet away. He did this in front of a Hispanic women and her child. He was able to plea the charge down to a 200 dollar fine. How is that the same?

Monica Sandschafer of Acorn, a vocal opponent of Arpaio's was arrested for appluading at a public meeting (most people were) for 20 seconds. She was arrested by the sheriff's deputies-not Phoenix PD. She was not given her laptop or blackberry back after her release.

[The Class West]

03:16 PM on 01/19/2009

We'll help Ms. Sandschafer get her property back or get just compensation if she hasn't done so already. She can E-mail [e-mail] .

Regardless of whether Galleener was arrested or ticketed, he was cearly targeted by the City of Phoenix prosecuters. That does not mean that The Class West advocates the posting of "I Hate Illegals" on Galleener's website. WE DO NOT SUPPORT HATE.

Galleener has explained what he means by his phrase, and apparently would hate his own relatives if they were here illegally.

The Class West, Ted and Ray Medina, [e-mail], reps at 203-434-9329 .

The Class West - A friend of Ms. Sandschafer.

[Humanleague002]

03:22 PM on 01/19/2009

CW,
Phoenix New Times pulled your posts. So now when people click on your link, they no longer see your spam. My guess is H. Post will be following soon also.

But if they look around on your link, they will see the follow up on this case as well as many other human rights violations by Sheriff Arpaio.
The follow up story written by Steve Lemons on his visit to the jail where Ms Lopez is being given torture treatment is very moving. I recomend it to anyone who wants more info and updates on this case.

[The Class West]

04:05 PM on 01/19/2009

Who cares what they do? They've confirmed that they are censors of opposing opinions. We will be talking in federal court with veterans as plaintiffs.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, [e-mail], reps at 203-434-9329 .

[MisterZevon]

08:36 PM on 01/19/2009

The follow up Humanleague002 is talking about can be found, here:
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2009/01/mothers_day_my_visit_with_ciri.php

[Sara4justice]

01:17 PM on 01/19/2009

What Sheriff Joe is doing is an outrageous injustice to all those who live in Maricopa County and the United States. It runs counter to everything that America is all about - justice, opportunity, equality and freedom.

[The Class West]

02:01 PM on 01/19/2009

Sara, tell it to the federal judge when our proud veterans file the lawsuit at http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/01/election_plan_emerges_in_phoen.php#comments .

Our veterans fought for your laws - ENFORCE THEM .

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina. Online and On Time, [e-mail], feedback to our reps at 203-434-9329.

[Patriot2009]

12:55 PM on 01/19/2009

Maricopa County is becoming a POLICE STATE with masked deputies roving the streets in unmarked cars and mothers being separated from their children for traffic violations.
It's time to ask yourself: is this the America you know and love?
Be a patriot, stand up for American values like freedom and civil liberty. We are protected against unlawful search and seizure is by the 4th amendment. If we don't protect our rights, they will disappear.

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . .
And by that time there was no one left to speak up."

- Pastor Martin Niemöller on the NAZI rise to power

[The Class West]

12:42 PM on 01/19/2009

Class action lawsuit against sanctuary city Phoenix at http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/01/election_plan_emerges_in_phoen.php#comments . You thought Sheriff Arpaio was bad? Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and his thugs are much worse.

Support immigration enforcement, give those kids a chance, Mommy.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, spokespersons

[Humanleague002]

01:48 AM on 01/19/2009

Arpaio doesn't arrest nearly as many Drug dealers. Human smugglers as DPS or Phoenix, Mesa and Chandler PD. If fact they avoid Arpaio on joint operations because of his careless publicity stunts.
Arpaio is mainly concerned with arresting corn vendors, landscapers and day laborers.

Last summer, Arpaio sent 60 heavily armed deputies into the Mesa Public Library at 2:00 AM to arrest 3 janitors for being in this country without Documents: a Federal misdomeamer. It turns out even his search warrant was not legal. The Janitors had no prior arrest records and were armed only with mops and soap.

He had 4 activists arrested for "applauding" less then 20 seconds at a public meeting where applauding is acceptable. This was because they spoke out against him and publicly oppose him.

He arrested the Phoenix ACLU president for illegally parking. When the ACLU attorney told the deputies he would move his car, they followed him to it and arrested him anyway. He was forced to spend 8 hours in jail, the judge dropped the charge and now he is sueing Arpaio.

He has even arrested Journalists at their home in the middle of the night-only to have the charges thrown out by a judge in the morning and then get sued once again.

His disregard for the U.S. Constitution and his attack on those that oppose him is unprecedented.

[The Class West]

11:28 AM on 01/19/2009

We're not condoning the false arrests by the MCSO. But how about our 25 (and counting) victims of Gordon's targeted arrests and prosecutions? You may not like Rick Galleener, but we cannot find ANY similar prosecutions against a veteran for public urination. Hence, Galleener may prevail in a claim for "selective prosecution" in the pending class action.

We cite the galleener case as one of many similar prosecutions by Gordon and crew that parallel
the admittedly false arrest of Sandschafer. We truly feared for her safety in the jails.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, spokespersons, [e-mail], representatives at 203-434-9329 . Thanks ALL for your support.

PS - Gilman, you are actually an injured member of our class! Welcome aboard!

[The Class West]

11:38 AM on 01/19/2009

If wannabe ACLU "lawyer" Dan Pochoda and crew are promoting your desperate attempts
to sway the media with fabrications and misinformation, tell him he can look forward to a pending Bar complaint.

The Class West, Ray and Ted Medina, [e-mail], reps at 203-434-9329 .

[temaquixtiani]

11:48 PM on 01/18/2009

After reading the comments of so many heartless haters I can only say. Sirs Have you no decency.