Sign the Petition: Kick Arpaio Out of the 287-g Program

America's Voice Blog

Posted 07/16/09 at 03:07pm

Sign the Petition: Kick Arpaio Out of the 287-g Program

Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced big changes to the government program that turns local cops into immigration agents (the "287g" program). The changes are a start, but they haven't stopped Sheriff Joe Arpaio's dangerous and racist antics in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Last Spring 40,000 Americans like you spoke out against the Sheriff's tactics. The House Judiciary Committee called for strict review, and the Department of Justice announced it would carry out a federal investigation!

Many of our readers joined with human and civil rights advocates across the country to get Arpaio investigated, but now he is refusing to cooperate with the feds.

Wonk Room blogger Andrea Nill reports, in "Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio Refuses To Cooperate With DOJ:"

When the Department of Justice (DOJ) began investigating Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) following racial-profiling allegations, Arpaio said “bring it on.” Now, four months later, he has announced that he will no longer cooperate with DOJ officials.

Enough is enough. Tell Secretary Napolitano to stop letting Sheriff Arpaio operate outside the law. Ask her to kick him out of the 287-g program, which allows Arpaio's deputies to become local immigration agents.

Sign the petition, now, and please forward it to your friends!

Check out a quick news roundup on Sheriff Arpaio:

July 14, 2009 - Arizona Republic: Editorial - Will the sheriff follow federal rules as written?

July 14, 2009 - Gainesville Times: Change coming to immigration enforcement

July 13, 2009 - America's Voice: 287(g) Needs to be Fixed and Focused First

July 14, 2009 - Arizona Republic: Arpaio suggests raiding Mesa after comments by mayor's wife

July 13, 2009 - Arizona Republic: Critics still want Arpaio's immigration efforts halted

Still not convinced? Remember those electrified holding pens for immigrants?

On February 4th, 2009, Joe went on a rampage. He rounded up immigrant detainees and forced them to march, shackled, to a segregated "tent city" surrounded by electric fences in the Arizona desert. The Maricopa County office announced the project in a statement entitled, "Arpaio Orders Move of Hundreds of Illegal Aliens to Their Own Tent City."

More background on Sheriff Arpaio:

Immigration Policy Center: the high cost of the Sheriff's antics

America's Voice: Highlights of the Sheriff's record

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