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Sweeps Threaten Latinos and Constitution in Maricopa CountyOn Friday, March 21, 2008, at around 4:30 p.m., I found myself in the middle of one of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration sweeps in a Latino neighborhood in Phoenix. I was on my way to Cave Creek-a suburb outside of Phoenix-to meet with two Latino day laborers who are my clients in a First Amendment lawsuit. Despite being an immigrants' rights advocate and ACLU attorney, I couldn't believe what I saw first-hand that night. Sheriff Arpaio had set up a circus: Standing in a large commercial parking lot along one of Phoenix's main roads, the Sheriff and his deputies announced to the media and the public that they would engage in a neighborhood sweep, stopping and arresting those suspected of violating traffic and safety laws. Behind Sheriff Arpaio were sheriff's department trailers, vans and cars - many emblazoned with the words: "Do Not Enter: Illegal Aliens." Dozens of deputies were preparing to drive around a predominantly Latino neighborhood and pick up whoever they found suspicious. Helicopters flew overhead. You could feel the panic in the air. People from the community concerned about what Sheriff Arpaio was up to began to arrive in the parking lot. A group of anti-immigrant protesters on motorcycles and holding signs began to surround the parking lot as well. I remember at least one shouted "spics, go home; this is our country," while aggressively inching closer and closer to the many Latino community residents and families who opposed the Sheriff's sweep. The deputies began driving into the neighborhood, terrorizing the community until almost 11 p.m. that night. Young Latino men were brought into the parking lot in handcuffs. They looked terrified as they arrived in the back of sheriff's vehicles.Stadium lights were everywhere. The media was on-site interviewing deputies and concerned residents. I felt like I was dreaming and in fact wondered if the men in handcuffs felt like that too. Were we in a movie? Why had they been brought to a parking lot instead of the downtown jail? And they must have wondered why there were so many people present shouting, "No hables. Permanece callado. Tienes derecho a un abogado." I was one of those people shouting that these men remain quiet, and that they assert their rights. But as I stood there shouting for what seemed like an eternity, I could not help but feel fearful myself. As a first-generation Mexican-American, the daughter of Mexican immigrants and someone who grew up in a Latino neighborhood-much like the one being targeted that night-I thought of how this could happen to my father, my brother-in-law and my cousins, who every single day fear that they will be stopped or questioned because of the color of their skin and their accents. Today, in an effort to put an end to this culture of fear born from rampant discrimination and racial profiling in Maricopa County, five Latinos and Somos America, a Latino community-based organization, sued Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Maricopa County. The lawsuit was filed on their behalf by the national ACLU, the ACLU of Arizona, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and lead counsel Steptoe & Johnson LLP. I hope that our plaintiffs find justice. The fear that pervaded that Friday in that Phoenix neighborhood didn't end that night. It's a fear that persists every single day for people who are, or appear to be, Latino or speak Spanish in Maricopa County. We cannot stand by and let this continue to happen in the United States.
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Jul 16th, 2008 at 1:18pm
if you are here illegally, you do not warrant the rights given to this counrties citizens, as you are not a citizen. If you are here illegally, you should be in fear of being deported as YOU ARE BREAKING the LAW.
Jul 16th, 2008 at 1:19pm
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). Is this a racist organization or what?
Jul 16th, 2008 at 1:20pm
I hope that our plaintiffs find justice. I hope they find justice too, by being deported if they are here illegally.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:03am
Wow,
Three anti-migrant comments from someone who probably has nothing better to do than sit at home and spread his or her hate.
Degrading migrants degrades us all. U.S. citizens suffer when migrants suffer. Denying this fundamental truth is only for those that can't stand the thought of unauthorized migrants being human.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:06am
Bill is yet another enlightened soul who believes LULAC, the NCLR, and MALDEF are racist organizations because they advocates for the Latino community.
Unfortunately, Bill, you have not read the Constitution. It guarantees the rights of due process to EVERYONE not just US Citizens.
Sheriff Arpaio is a sad joke. His antics have cost the county tens of millions of dollars in payouts to settle lawsuits. Hopefully the people of that county will wake up and kick the bum out come November.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:14am
Hmm, seems that "Bill" has some time on his hands.
It is clear that Arpaio has been over-stepping his bounds for months. He has made Maricopa County a national shame and is openly coordinating with white supremacist organizations. Rather than making the community a safer place, he has let loose with a reign of terror that is alienating and marginalizing thousands upon thousands of innocent people.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:33am
Congratulations to the ACLU for going after Arpaio and his terrible tactics.
If I lived in Maricopa Country (ironically named after indigenous people) I'd worry for my safety as the sheriff is only worried about the easy to arrest people - hard working migrants.
The governor, Janet Napolitano, has taken funds from him for his lack of attention to real criminals and I hope the ACLU will be able to bring justice to this insane situation.
And Bill all people do have rights in the United States - that's what we're all about. "Liberty and justice for ALL."
Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:59am
Monica,
Thank you for your bravery. What you witnessed was Racial Profiling and the insane sheriff needs to be stopped! I am glad the ACLU is taking this to court.
The sheriff needs to be prosecuted for his misdeeds.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 8:17am
Bill,
Monica is a citizen. Did you read the post?
She has every right to protest herr sheriff and his trangressions of racial profiling.
Arpaio is a madman! He just wants media attention. Shame on him!
Jul 17th, 2008 at 8:32am
It doesnt matter that they are here illegally. This is America, they have RIGHTS AS HUMAN BEINGS!
“No hables. Permanece callado. Tienes derecho a un abogado!”
Jul 17th, 2008 at 8:41am
This is racial profiling isn't that breaking the law too?
The people that were arrested could have been people with legal status!!
Only because they are undocumented doesn't mean that they don't have rights!!!! They are HUMANS too!!!!
by the way MALDEF is not a racist organization!!!
Jul 17th, 2008 at 9:44am
The Bill of Rights applies to everyone, Bill. Citizen or not. Someone who is present without documentation is committing a misdemeanor, which is not a kind of crime that warrants the kind of media circus that Arpaio puts on, nor does it merit the loss of rights.
Good for Monica Ramirez and the others who did their best to advise those arrested of their rights. **They** make me proud to be a citizen of the US.
What Arpaio is doing is horrific -- profiling is barely the beginning of it. This is state-sponsored intimidation, open alliance with right-wing groups, presumption of guilt, shameless racial prejudice. The guy is a complete disgrace to the Constitution and a media grandstander. He will, eventually, meet Joe McCarthy's fate in some form or other.
In the meantime, the only rememdy left is to keep telling the truth.
Jul 17th, 2008 at 10:06pm
If we cannot recognize the equal and basic human rights of all people then we have failed as a nation.
Arpaio has enacted a reign of terror and needs to be stopped!
Jul 18th, 2008 at 11:50pm
I live in Maricopa county. I work in a hospital. I have seen people wait hours and hours because the emergency rooms are filled with illegals who have to come to the emergency room because they have no money, no insurance and cannot be refused medical care in the emergency room. Guess who is paying that bill? ...we tax payers.
We tax payers are paying for the roads that these people are using and are not contributing their share in tax money to. We are paying for their food and water while they are incarcerated and transportation back to their home country. The list of ways we are paying for them is incredible..don't even get me stated on shared or stolen Social Security numbers. You really don't want to get me started on the illegals driving cars without licenses, insurance, or the simply understanding of our driving laws, yet some of you freaks think they should be here. Do you have any idea how many people i see daily who are in car accidents with illegals? I am sure the insurance costs of the citizen will suffer because of that accident, too.
If you want to move to the United States legally, great we welcome you with open arms. If you want a work Visa, great, we welcome you. You want a student Visa, we welcome you. Earn entry into our couuntry leagally, though.
If you break our laws, you are a criminal. If you break our immigration laws, that makes you a criminal, too. No if, ands or buts about it. Illegal aliens are criminals. They deserve the right to be deported.. nothing else.
I sure wish the ACLU would spend more of my money supporting citizens of this country who not only deserve their time and effort but are the ones donating this organizations funds for that support and not people who have no, zero, nada right to be here.
Illegal aliens are law breakers. They deserve the right to be treated like criminals and sent back to where every they came from.
I support Sheriff Joe. He may be a spotlight seeking ass, but he does what we elected him to do: Get criminals off the street.
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 7:57am
Thumbs up Sheriff Arpaio, this country needs more lawmen like you, who are willing to stand up for the law abiding citizens and punish the criminals
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 2:54pm
I think the ACLU (American Communist Liberal Union)if they think law breakers from other Countries sneek into My Country have rights as American Citizens I suggest that the ACLU don't let the Border hit them in the ass as they follow their clints back to where they come from.I am tired of my tax dollars supporting them,and allowing them to get on Social Security without paying into it.Shame on you for standing up for those Illigel criminals who or such a burden on the American Tax payer.If they want to come to the USA legel,Welcome.I don't think you are looking out for AQmericans or our Constitution.If you really won't to do something for America,Go join one of the branches of the Military.Americans would have respect for you then.
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 4:14pm
I don't think anyone here wants to suggest that someone be denied their "human rights". Detaining someone for being here illegally doesn't violate anybones "human rights". We have a process in place to come here legally, and if you are here illegally, then there is a penalty, just like there would be in any other country. Mexico doesn't even want these people, and their corupt goverment just about assists those people in entering here illegally. Sheriff Joe is only doing the will of the majority and what the state and Federal goverment can't or won't do. Look, if you are here legally, you have nothing to worry about. If you should not be here, then get out. We are a nation of immigrants, mine came here LEGALLY. Thats all we ask.
Aug 16th, 2008 at 9:12am
Illegals are breaking our laws and have no right to be in this country. ACLU has done more harm to the citizens of the USA with its Left policies which borders on socalism and communist beliefs. Because of the ALCU I hardly recognize my own country.
Sep 4th, 2008 at 8:49am
TO SEND THEM BACK PRESS 2. Don’t you people EVER stand up for the Law-Abiding LEGAL-AMERICAN CITIZEN? I agree we should let them into the country…LEGALLY. If I had a baby in another country, they don’t become citizens of that country with full free benefits. So why do it here? Come on ACLU do something for the people of this country who are loosing everything and can’t afford to live because MOST of our money is going to the people who you stand up for (Prisoner Rights, Illegal Immigrants, etc.) GIVE US A BREAK!!!
And for all you ILLEGAL-IMMIGRANT supporters, you can pay me back ALL MY TAX money that goes to these ILLEGAL people of this country. And you can pay for the funerals of the MURDERED people in Newark, NJ that were gunned down EXECUTION style by 3 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. Let them MURDER your kids, moms, daughters, dads, etc. Then let me see you hug them and praise them for being hard working people. I hope they kill your family first and not mine.
Sep 26th, 2008 at 10:48am
This is something for all you haters.
For you James:
There are many insurance companies selling insurance to illegal aliens everyday taking advantage of the situation. Whose fault is this? Nor the illegals, they just wanna work and be left alone. I would rather be hit by someone who has insurance than someone who does not, wouldnt you?
For you Anti:
People coming to the US and having kids trying to get help from the government is one problem, what does that have to do with immigration? Nothing. Stick to the subject at hand. As for you taxes?
Tell Sheriff Arpio you want your money back. In case you haven’t noticed, he
decided to start picking up illegals just because he can and using YOUR money to feed them and take care of them and mind you even sending back to their home on a plane. What do think of that?
Oct 11th, 2008 at 7:21pm
bzegial, Illegal Aliens are costing AMERICAN CITIZENS 346 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. THEY KILL 16 AMERICANS A DAY,plus all the other crimes daILY. THE MEXICANS COME HERE AND HAVE 3 OR 4 KIDS , GUESS WHO IS PAYING FOR THIS, US CITIZENS , THATS WHO. THEY WANT TO WORK AND BE LEFT ALONE, NOT ON MY DIME BUDDY.DEPORT,DEPORT AND DEPORT.I WOULD THINK THAT NOBODY WANTS ILLEGAL CRIMANILS AROUND UNLESS YOU ARE ILLEGAL ALSO. THE ACLU MAKES ME SICK, THEY DESERVE WHAT IS COMING TO THEM, GOD BLESS
Nov 11th, 2008 at 4:46pm
Deport them if they enter the country illegally. They don’t respect our laws so we don’t have to respect their so called “rights”. If they want to come work here so bad President elect Obama should set up a kind of foreign exchange work program.
Feb 15th, 2009 at 6:05pm
Illegal Immigrants are just that, ILLEGAL.I understand that they should not be hurt or abused by anyone as we ALL are human and deserve basic rights. However, just because they are human does not give them the "right" to be here unlawfully.