DHS Drops Sheriff Joe
The Department of Homeland Security is restricting access to immigration enforcement programs in Maricopa County, Ariz., after Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office was found to have violated civil rights.
The Department of Justice released the results of a three year investigation by its Civil Rights Division today, which found practices by the sheriff's office in Maricopa County unconstitutional and discriminatory.
"Discrimination undermines law enforcement and erodes the public trust,"
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement.
"DHS will not be a party to such practices."
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America has been a divisive national symbol, admired by some who believed he was helping his state enforce immigration law effectively.
Among the department's findings were that in Maricopa County, Latino drivers were four to nine times more likely than non-Latino drivers to be involved in traffic stops, inmates who didn't understand officers' commands in English were punished, and the sheriff's office retaliates against people who criticize its practices, with unfounded arrests and lawsuits. The report states that the office's,
"discriminatory treatment of Latinos reflects a general culture of bias."
The immigrant rights community welcomed the report as evidence of what they've alleged all along, and welcomed Napolitano's decision to cut ties.
A spokesman said,
"Let this report be a red flag to other sheriff departments throughout the nation that erroneously think they can get away with stepping over the civil and human rights of Latinos and immigrants."
USNews
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