Joe Arpaio Phoenix Immigration Sweep: Arpaio Cites the Law

After Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, supposedly put a thumb on Sheriff Joe Arpaio's ability to check the legal status of illegal aliens, he said he still had ways to conduct crime sweeps (and let us remember that being in the U.S. illegally is...illegal, making it a crime). See a video below.

 Joe Arpaio Phoenix - Surprise Immigration Sweep

The Department of Justice is investigating Arpaio, for what he refers to as his "crime suppression operation."  According to this report, Arpaio "launched a crime and immigration sweep in northwestern metro Phoenix," on October 16th and Liberals are aghast. It's racial profiling in their opinion.

Citing a 1996 federal law, Arpaio said officials are allowed to detain someone briefly if that person is in the country illegally. 

 This weekend's "crime sweep" began in Surprise, AZ. A search warrant was served on a car wash. The Manager was arrested for driving to work on a suspended license.

...nine people at the car wash who were arrested, seven were picked up for illegal immigration status and two were arrested for identification theft.

Apparently, the Sheriff's opponents have been taping his arrests, and he and his deputies are now joining in the documentary-making:

The Sheriff also spoke out against his opponents who video tape his deputies during the traffic stops saying they create safety concerns for his deputies.

"I too will now have people videotaping our deputies," he said. "We won't edit the tape the way they do."

Sheriff Joe, who says he is an "equal opportunity cop," explains how he will continue to pursue illegals in the video below, because it is legal for him to do so.
Joe Arpaio Phoenix Immigration Sweep Related: Joe Arpaio, Janet Napolitano on Crime Suppression