Homeland Security decertifies Arizona sheriff for immigration enforcement
posted at 1:36 pm on October 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Say, isn’t the primary mission of the Department of Homeland Security to, er, secure the homeland? Someone needs to remind Janet Napolitano of that mission, which includes enforcing immigration laws, after her agency decertified Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his deputies for acting as ICE agents in that specific mission. Arpaio’s sin? He apparently had too much enthusiasm for the job (via USA Today blog On Deadline):
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stripped Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio of his authority to arrest suspected illegal immigrants based solely on their immigration status.
But Arpaio said Tuesday he plans to continue his controversial “crime suppression operations,” despite DHS’s decision to not renew an agreement that would allow the sheriff to continue immigration enforcement on the streets. …
Arpaio said he believes DHS made the changes to stop his “crime suppression operations,” which are saturation patrols in designated areas where deputies would find illegal immigrants by stopping them for traffic infractions and minor violations.
The Department of Justice and other federal agencies are investigating the sheriff’s office on accusations of racial profiling during the crime suppression operations.
In a Pulitzer Prize-winning series published in July 2008, the Tribune found the sheriff’s office’s illegal-immigration sweeps violated federal regulations intended to prevent racial profiling. The five-part series also found that the sweeps diverted resources from core law-enforcement functions, which in some cases caused response times to increase.
The Tribune’s point about resource allocation within the sheriff’s department is well taken — and completely irrelevant. The DHS does not have the authority to dictate resource allocation of county sheriffs anywhere. The people of Maricopa County make the determination of whether their sheriff has allocated resources to their liking, not the federal government. Arpaio stands for election every four years, and so far no challenger has come within 10 points of Arpaio. If Maricopa County residents are unhappy with Arpaio’s management of resources, they’re not demonstrating it.
If the Maricopa County Sheriff Department violated civil-rights rules, then the Department of Justice has the duty to investigate and to take corrective action. So far, though, no one has proven anything of the sort — and that still wouldn’t be the jurisdiction of DHS. Instead of working with Arpaio, whose publicity-seeking manner admittedly makes cooperation somewhat more unlikely on the issue of methods, the DHS instead cut off Maricopa County from assisting DHS from enforcing immigration law, which tends to give an indication of the priority of such enforcement in this administration.
Update: I got an e-mail questioning whether the front-page pic was Arpaio. Just in case, I’ve substituted another.
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It’ll be interesting to see Arpaio’s take on al of this.
Bob's Kid on October 7, 2009 at 1:38 PM
How can the feds strip a local law enforcement officer of his duty to enforce the law?
d1carter on October 7, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I like racial profiling.
It works.
Please tell me again how many grannies are suicide bomber or drug runners from S. of the border?
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
It’s nice to know the fence is built now.
You know, it’s easy to not hire illegals …
tarpon on October 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
The world has turned upside down in the Obambi Nation. If you enforce the law you are now considered a criminal.
Percy_Peabody on October 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Arpaio for DHS Secretary 2012!
txag92 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Anybody know about this?
I was under the impression that the local sherriff was the guy with the ultimate power over the feds in many cases when it really comes down to it.
Anyone with info about their powers?
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Border enforcement should be left to reliable organizations. Like ACORN, maybe.
Cicero43 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
With all the Arpaio haters in office, I’m surprised this retaliation took this long.
Sekhmet on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Good=evil
Evil=good
Right=wrong
You get the picture.
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Yeah cuz white grandma is sneaking across the border into the U.S. Libtards.
saltydogg14 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Another reason why we don’t need a Homeland Security Department.
Spathi on October 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM
It’s the Chicago Way!
NickelAndDime on October 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Good to see people penalized for doing a good job. That’s Socialism for ya.
NTWR on October 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Wait a minute, illegals break the law that is why they are called illegals. And now they’re preventing an Arizona sheriff from doing his job of protecting the homeland. Things are completely upside down.
Important question:
What does John McCain think about this? After all, he said illegals “pick the lettuce” and “do the jobs Americans won’t do.”
cubachi on October 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Wow – and this is a surprise from the O administration? THey want to legalize not criminalize illegals.
EliTheBean on October 7, 2009 at 1:43 PM
The whore running DHS wants an open border.
highhopes on October 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Fire Safety, Immigration, whatever, anyone can do it, just give ACORN their cool Mil.
NickelAndDime on October 7, 2009 at 1:44 PM
He needs to keep doing the feds have no power to strip him of his duty to uphold local law.
lavell12 on October 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
The United States government: The most dangerous enemy we’ve ever faced. The entire Obama administration is actively working to collapse the US.
Traitors all.
darwin on October 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Janet is just upset because Joe was locking up so many potential Democrat voters.
Hellrider on October 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM
How unbelievably frustrating. The citizens in that town clearly want the law to be enforced, and the federal government swoops in and tries to impose lawlessness? It’s like a banana republic!
CityFish on October 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Now we have Homeland Security playing politics with the nations security dept getting involved in a local jurisdiction matter. Where is the Congressional outcry?
chickasaw42 on October 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
This is the 1st step towards that.
Next you will see ads on how illegals have saved our economy from ruin-i.e. the lettuce pickers from the WWII:picking lettuce when the men are off to war.
When you think of it that way, I guess we do need illegals.
Except for the fact that they are a najor drain on our economic welfare & that they do not contribute enough to our society to warrant their efforts at “doing jobs no one else will do”.
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
He’ll just start charging under state immigration laws.
mojo on October 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Amnesty in 5…4…3…
dmann on October 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Janet Napolitano is Janet Reno with shorter legs and a hundred more pound more fat.
Q) How can such an important position be given to such an inexperienced, political hack?
A) Barrack Hussein Obama mmmm mmmm mmmm
Hening on October 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Good=evil
Evil=good
Right=wrong
You get the picture.
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:41 PM
////
Yup,obama’s world!
ohiobabe on October 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
The Tribune is now issuing legal decisions?
forest on October 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
It’s becoming more clear by the day.
NTWR on October 7, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Note: The photo accompanying the story is not Joe Arpaio.
Exurban Jon on October 7, 2009 at 1:48 PM
These two were at each others throats all the time when Nappy was AZ gov. I’m not surprised at all that she’s done this…of course it has nothing to do with politics. Uh huh, right, sure.
There’s a reason Joe has been re-elected 4 times…and counting.
jennifernaz on October 7, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Arizona to secede from the union……just asking?
grapeknutz on October 7, 2009 at 1:48 PM
They are inviting another attack in one form, or another. Then in the crisis, initiate martial law, and voila. We’re all under government control. Surrender guns, and weapons, and do as big brother says.
capejasmine on October 7, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Gin up a Civil Rights violation, call in the FBI.
bloviator on October 7, 2009 at 1:49 PM
I’m game!
jennifernaz on October 7, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Mmmmm…he must have been too effective. Wouldn’t want to cut off a valuable supply of new voters come 2012.
ProfShade on October 7, 2009 at 1:50 PM
If our states don’t start getting some action on the 10th, this whole Republic is sunk under bho and team. This whole bunch stink as a black and white critter we have in our area! You want to keep your distance from the critter also.
L
letget on October 7, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Good grief, Napolitano is an idiot, and ugly as hell to boot.
Orange Doorhinge on October 7, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Napolitano’s a heterophobe.
Akzed on October 7, 2009 at 1:51 PM
So our federal government HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT thinks that allowing illegal aliens to flood over our borders and disappearinto the welfare state is GOOD for US homeland security?
Good Lt on October 7, 2009 at 1:51 PM
hey put up a pic of Sheriff Joe! please?
love our Sheriff Joe
the full video of his presser yesterday here
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
A local sheriff is not normally empowered to enforce federal laws. Immigration is governed by federal law, not state or local law.
In the past the feds have gotten around this by specifically authorizing local officials to also enforce federal laws. The article implies that the feds are removing this authorization in this case.
MarkTheGreat on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
It’s about time the states just told the federal government to go ***k itself.
darwin on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
CERTIFICATION? WE DON’T NEED NO CERTIFICATION!
bloviator on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
The former Rep. JD Hayworth chastised Nappy head yesterday on his radio show….
I am so glad that she is not running our state anymore, but still has anxiety knowing she is running Americas security.
Keeping up the good fight to help sheriff Joe keep these illegals off our streets.
hawkman on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
What we need is for Sheriff Joe to slap the cuffs on Osama Obama and that creep at DHS and issue them their pink undies.
We know where the criminals are, but are helpless to stop them.
No amnesty for the Chicago Jesus!
MrScribbler on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
What do you mean “potential”?
MarkTheGreat on October 7, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Sheriff Joe is doing another crime sweep anyway, he says he found another law that lets him do it :0)
yay Joe!
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:53 PM
This is the perfect example of the way the USA should be vs. (unfortunately) the way it is.
Sherriff Joe upholds the beliefs and values of a country that I am proud of.
Uncle Mort is just another retread socialist/communist/marxist hippie doing the bidding of an administration that is slowly, deliberately and systematically dismantling and destroying this country.
I’ve had enough of these goons. It is time to stand up and FIGHT!
Flyboy on October 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I wonder just how in the he!! is it racial profiling to protect our borders? Thanks alot you Obama voting tools!
farright on October 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Immigration is federal law. Crazy, ain’t it?
BobMbx on October 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I beleive that Arizona has a smuggling law that includes humans. Arpaio still has plenty of was to crackdown on illegal immigration…
Theworldisnotenough on October 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Maybe a legal eagle can chime in here…but why does this have to be an exclusively federal domain? By that I mean what keeps a state legislature from legislating how non-citizens may enter that particular state? I could see an interstate commerce clause argument being applied to citizens and other folks here legally…but illegal aliens seems to me to be just as much of a state issue as a federal one, especially when you’re talking about benefits such as food stamps and such.
JohnTant on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
In a local paper recently, there was an article about how a local, newly built jail was losing money because:
a) Limits for drug possession to be considered a felony had been raised by the federal government, so more drug dealers etc… were walking instead of being incarcerated, and:
b) The ‘current Administration’ shows less interest in punishing those who violate immigration laws.
Sad.
cntrlfrk on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
and the Sheriff LOL at the Trib which is going bankrupt!
and their 5 part series was full of shxt
Joe has funding from the voters to do his sweeps, 1 mill a year outside his regular funding he says in his presser
and since the County Supervisors took his special bus, he says if ICE refuses to take them he will use his 1 mill to drive them to the border
yay Joe!
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
I just want to make sure I’m reading this correctly.
DHS is prohibiting a County Sheriff from,
arresting illegal immigrants,
because they are illegal immigrants.
Huh?
fogw on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Thinking of the ranchers who ranch along the border in AZ-those poor ba$tard$ have a real hard time keeping safe & order.
This guy has only made them safer.
We need the TX rangers back, like they used to be.
Seriously, I want them back.
I’ll donate a horse & a gun to as many men as I can.
Badger40 on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Once again the DHS seems more concerned with the threat of American citizens than foreign nationals. They have no interest in securing the border. But we already knew that from Janet’s record from Arizona.
NeoKong on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Upholding the law?
Our Government can’t have that going on!
elderberry on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Many states still have vagrancy laws on the books.
BobMbx on October 7, 2009 at 1:55 PM
yes we have in AZ a human smuggling law and we voted Prop 100 also
we love our Sheriff Joe
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM
he said it was a federal law
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Dems are afraid that their voter pool will be diminished.
jorb on October 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Can’t have the sheriff hassling those future Democrat voters
brak on October 7, 2009 at 1:57 PM
fogw
yes DHS is bout to strip the streets proivision from our 287G program despite an AUDIT DHS conducted that hgave us an A= in execution of our 287G duties
they thought Sheriff Joe would refuse to sign the new deal which only gives us jail power over the illegal immigrants
instead Joe signed it and plans to continue his sweeps under other provisions both federal and state
ginaswo on October 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I think this is a combo of payback from Napolitano’s time as Governor of Arizona, where she had border enforcement shoved down her throat from the state legislature and at the local level by guys like Arpaio, in addition to getting brownie points from the far left who HATE Arpaio with a passion.
Strict rules on employing and housing illegals in Arizona went in under Napolitano, but not without a major fight. It took the legislature completely overruling her, IIRC, to push those policies through.
teke184 on October 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Obanma,
“Sheriff, uh, err, uh, we can’t be stopping those Dem voters at the border, ah, like I said, like I’ve always said Arapahoe, get ready to ah, er, roll out the ah, red carpet, ah , like I said after I pass free healthcare for all, and amnesty for all were gonna need to be handin out voter ID’s and tequilla to these ah , er, ah Immigrants and ah, er ah like I said don’t be lookin for help from the repubs, ah , er John McCain has that covered, the Repubs won’t do jack squat as they said on Saturaday Night Lives last and only ever Parody of Meeeee.”
dhunter on October 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
The people of Maricopa County can have this hateful demagogic thug whose only real interest is self promotion — if they don’t mind the increasing lawsuits and declining arrests rates that are the hallmark of Sheriff Arpaio. The federal government is, however, right to wash their hands of this embarrassment.
Bleeds Blue on October 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Oh for the love of God.
Joe come up here. I have no problems with you feeding inmates bologna and making them sleep in the cold.
upinak on October 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I will say this one more time.Revolution is coming you can bank on it.
thmcbb on October 7, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Yes, that is our sheriff Joe, and we love him here! Why are we not allowed to enforce laws?! I remember a time when the states were trusted to take care of themselves, and the US was there to protect our country. I sure miss those days.
stranglin on October 7, 2009 at 1:59 PM
How is Joe hateful?
Please prove that statement.
upinak on October 7, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Of course the Department of Justice dropped ALL charges against the RACIST Black Panthers for voter itimidation on election day. Who will Investigate the Dept of Justice??
TN Mom on October 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM
The evidence… the vast majority of illegal immigrants crossing the border from Mexico arrested were Hispanic!!
The numbers speak for themselves.
mankai on October 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM
‘Cause bleeds blue says so.
mankai on October 7, 2009 at 2:01 PM
I live in Maricopa County and Jay-No left this state in such a screwed up mess, it’s disgusting. Sheriff Joe & her have been going at it for years on this. I’m with Joe on this one. I “hope” he shoves it up her arsenal.
rotorjoe on October 7, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Remember the Guiliani plan for immigration? Give the left amnesty in exchange for getting the left to go along with forcing people to have a biometric National I.D. cards.
Same thing with the DHS…it’s another pointless government agency aimed at the continuing Bush’s war of terror.
Spathi on October 7, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Sounds like the adminstration needs more voters for 2010 and 2012.
yoda on October 7, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Bush did far more damage and killed more than Bin Laden.
The creation of the DHS was just one of his many tentacles aimed at enlarging the government for the war of terror…
Some how libertarians need to remind conservatives that it is the Federal Government who is the enemy and not some cavemen or Iraq or Iran.
Spathi on October 7, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Palin/Bolton 2012…
and oh, Arpaio for DHS, just to see Janny’s head explode.
paragon27x on October 7, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Sheriff Joe oughta slap cuffs on any feds who show up to try to tell him how to do his job.
The Sheriff is the law in the county. I hope some fed dufuses end up in pink panties in a tent in Arpaioville.
Akzed on October 7, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Was a win/win for Janet… further the agenda, and get some cheap, petty satisfaction as well.
paragon27x on October 7, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Vagrancy laws are local, not federal, just pointing that out.
Vashta.Nerada on October 7, 2009 at 2:06 PM
General Arpaio, Commander of the Southwestern Expedition in the struggle to create the new “Republic of America.”
Secession is the only answer.
noblejones on October 7, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Don’t think that will happen. We are not a nation that was founded as a convict colony. The politicians of both parties need to pay attention to the run on firearms, ammunition & components which is continuing.
Blackhawk45 on October 7, 2009 at 2:07 PM
“The Cambridge police acted stupidly.”
You have to be careful with this internet thingie, it remembers all sorts of things.
Bishop on October 7, 2009 at 2:07 PM
http://www.veteranoutrage.com
I said it before and i will keep saying it.
Obama will destroy this nation
Democrats will detroy this nation
Republicans will not save this nation
Whyu?
Because instead of putting the nations own good first
they put their own interests or illegals first.
Im sorry that mexico sucks
Im also sorry that american liberals contributed to mexicaos faulire as a state due to all of their drug use
I sorry that life for the mexican people sucks and their capitols are running out of bullets due to all of the drug wars
But both sides of the isle are using this terrible situation
to further their own dumb ass ideals
The democrats flat out want to bring in EVERY illegal they can so they can turn them into
Instant DEMOCRATS with a wave of obams pen
The republicans wanted them in to help all of the rich fat cats in wall street thuis ruinging the job market for americans
Both are not doing their duties
Both are not taking care of america
Both parties are completly corrupt
the only difference is the democrats are so
frigging insane we wont LAST 4 years before we are comletly ooverun.
Our children will not have a chance in this nation
Unless we actually consider a mass revolt.
I know that word is terrible..
and i dont mean tea party protests..
As i see it all of america has 3 choices now
1. Keep the status quoe as is and watch the entire country fall apart financially and emotionally
2. Elect a completly new party (and completly throwing out all democrats and republicans accoss the entire nation
3. Pick up our pitch forks and torches
march onto washington DC
ARREST ALL of CONGRESS and the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Putting them all on public trial
then barring ALL current and former policical persons
from ever running for any office EVER AGAIN..
Somehow i honestly think
it will be option #1
Because americans do not want to see their streets run red with american blood
So i hope you liberals like your new police state..
My wife and I are wondering outloud now if we should
MOVE to ohh say the philipines..?
At least there i could still aford to live.
veteranoutrage on October 7, 2009 at 2:08 PM
God Bless Sheriff Joe and keep him safe from the slings and arrows of outrageous dummycrats. He’s a little too outspoken to make a great politician, but both his head and heart are in exactly the right place. He understands and appreciates the Constitution. He believes in the Bill of Rights. And he does not entertain foolishness. We should clone him!
Crusader Rabbit on October 7, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Who forgot to flush?
fogw on October 7, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Sheriff Joe is just doing jobs that liberals just won’t do!
redstateKS on October 7, 2009 at 2:09 PM
So if Al Queda operatives come into US through Maricopa County the Justice Department and DHS will just close their eyes and put their fingers in their ears cause Sheriff Arpaio is at the helm there?
I guess Rahmbo’s words are true, the new improved Obama DHS wants a new crisis and won’t put it to waste once it arrives.
eaglewingz08 on October 7, 2009 at 2:09 PM
You’ve never actually fought against those “cavemen” have you, though I will agree at this point the feds are becoming somewhat of an enemy to a certain degree.
Bishop on October 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM
fogw,
We should have a litmus test for the GOP candidate in 2012.
It should be that they must consider that the Federal Government is a MUCH larger enemy to the people than these so called terrorists who just reactionaries to the actions of the U.S. empire abroad.
Spathi on October 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM
P.S. Is Obama profiling Al Queda suspects by blowing up muslims in huts in Paakistan with drones and hellfire missiles?
eaglewingz08 on October 7, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Let’s get rid of that fleabag Napolitano NOW.
drjohn on October 7, 2009 at 2:11 PM
“Do strong>not go in there!”
Akzed on October 7, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Does this mean they have to reissue Napolitano’s DHS Report to include Arpaio supporters?
batter on October 7, 2009 at 2:11 PM
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