Sheriff Joe. The toughest Sheriff in America. It seems there are some in Arizona that do not agree with his tactical approach to enforcing Arizona's immigration laws. Representatives John Conyers (D-Mich.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Robert Scott (D-Va.) requested that the Justice Department initiate an investigation. The effort is also championed by activists groups such as National Day Laborer Organizer Network, La Raza, and ACORN.
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On Wednesday, the Justice Deprtment issued a letter to Sheriff Joe stating:
"This is to inform you that the United States Department of Justice is commencing an investigation of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (''MCSO'') pursuant to the pattern or practice provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994,42 U.S.C. §14141 ("Section 14141") and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968,42 U.S.C. § 3789d ("Safe Streets Act"), and pursuant to the prohibitions against national origin discrimination in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-7 ("Title Yr') and the Safe Streets Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3789d(c)."
Doesn't it seem the least bit suspicious that Democratic lawmakers, at the state and federal levels, are the only ones that seem to be offended by someone actually enforcing immigration policy? I'm absolutely sure that the illustrious seat warming former Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, had a hand in this. She and Sheriff Joe were at odds during her entire tenure.
The most recent 'offensive' action by Arpaio is to move those being held for immigration infractions to tent city. For some reason, that move is a civil rights violation?!?! I would like to know why it is not a civil rights violation when you move white, black, or asian prisoners to tent city. Is it a civil rights violation to move only car jackers to tent city? What about their civil rights? Its sickening that groups like ACORN fein 'outrage' over select people that they deem deserving of their attention. I think the point most of these activists and politicians miss is that these are illegal aliens. They are not just being picked on for being of a certain ethnicity. Illegal is illegal, no matter where you are from.
The strangest quote from this debacle came from Arizona Congressman Ed pastor who said that we should halt the crackdown on illegals because it "tears apart families". So, in his eyes, we shouldn't track or prosecute people for breaking the law because of their family obligations? What about bank robbers and car thiefs... They have families, too! I can't wait for the next episode of Cops when they pull over a wanted serial killer, but then let him go because he has a wife and kids to feed. 