We couldn't be happier to hear that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee released a letter today calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct a federal investigation of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's enforcement tactics.
Ever since he landed his own reality TV show, we've been arguing for Joe to get the attention he really deserves-- an investigation by the DOJ. Kudos to Chairman Conyers (D-MI), and other members of the House Judiciary Committee, for publicly speaking out against Arpaio's tactics, and for demanding the same.
Their letter begins:
Dear Attorney General Holder and Secretary Napolitano:We write today concerning allegations of misconduct on the part of Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio that we believe merit federal investigation and action.
In a press statement today, Conyers argues:
"Racial profiling and segregation are simply not acceptable." said Conyers. "Media stunts and braggadocio are no substitute for fair and effective law enforcement."
The Judiciary Committee also asks the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review the agreement that DHS has signed with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which Joe has so roundly abused. Report after report has shown that Sheriff Arpaio regularly engages in racial profiling in Latino neighborhoods. It's part of the reason he has 2,700 lawsuits filed against him.
For his latest publicity stunt, Arpaio paraded immigrant detainees through the streets of Phoenix in order to segregate and relocate them to a "Tent City" surrounded by electric fencing. The 287 (g) agreement gives the Sheriff authority to enforce federal immigration laws, but it does not provide permission to use racial profiling or other tactics that violate an individual's constitutional rights.
It does not give one the right to create mini-Gitmos.
The Joe Arpaio approach to law enforcement is un-American and ineffective -- not to mention expensive. Joe's actions are the perfect example of why local enforcement of federal immigration law is inherently flawed, and they point to the increasing need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Arpaio is a modern day Bull Connor and his publicity-seeking crusades have made the Latino community scared and Maricopa County less safe by prioritizing racial profiling over executing the felony warrants that have piled up on his desk. His most recent scheme, rounding up immigrants and shipping them off to separate "tent cities," is just the latest in a career filled with dangerous and anti-Latino demagoguery.
Thankfully, Chairman Conyers, and other members of the Judiciary Committee in the House of Representatives, will be able to catalog the range of abuses he has heaped on the residents of Maricopa County and will hopefully bring long-awaited justice against a man who doesn't appear to understand the word.
And Prioarato, Illega immigrants are not felons. Illegal entry is a civil misdemeanor, nothing more. And don't waste your time with your anti talking points to the contrary. They've all been debunked and nobody is interested.
Illegal aliens are prima facie criminals. If they are here without a visa, then they are felons -- violent or not. Period. End of story.
I am so sick of people raising a ruckus about "illegals" when they are abusing our immigration laws.
Why doesn't the DOJ investigation the myriad crimes committed by Bush & Co. these past 8 years that have much more significance than where illegal aliens are housed until they are deported.
At least Sheriff Joe has the motivation to try and clean up our streets. I bet the comments abusing Joe are from people who do not live in border states where are hospitals and schools and inundated with illegals using our social services without being a part of the tax base. Trying getting into a car accident with an illegal alien, or try competing with illegal aliens for low-paying jobs... I could go on and on but my word limit is up!
It is about time they investigate the antics of Sheriff Arpaio. What he has done and many others around the 287g program is degrading, inhumane and against everything this country was built on. Regardless of your status, everyone on U.S. soil deserves due process and human rights.
Breakthrough recently did a story about a pregnant woman who was a victim of this same 287g program - http://www.breakthrough.tv/product_detail.asp?proid=130&id=7 She was shackled while she was detained and during labor.
Also, we have a site - Homeland Gitmo - where people can go inside to see what it's like once immigrants are detained, of ALL status - and many have not committed a crime - the conditions are inhumane, degrading and have led to many deaths - www.homelandgitmo.com.
This all has to stop - AGAIN - everyone deserves due process and human rights.
-Crissy
Breakthrough
www.breakthrough.tv
www.homelandgitmo.com
www.icedgame.com
Arpaio needs to be forced out. He need to go before he causes more damage. His tent cities need to be shut down, those Mini-Gitmos need to be shut down by the Obama Administration just like they did with Guantanamo Bay.
I say, Good riddance Sheriff Joe!