WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - October 17, 2007) - Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that complaints it lodged with Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio on behalf of a group of Phoenix businesses resulted in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Illegal Immigration Interdiction unit arresting six illegal aliens. Sheriff Arpaio runs the nation's third largest sheriff's department.
Judicial Watch Director of Investigations and Research Chris Farrell and Phoenix business leaders met with Sheriff Arpaio on August 28, 2007 to discuss crime and health issues relating to the increasing numbers of day laborers in the area. Arpaio is known as "America's toughest sheriff" for his no-nonsense approach to illegal immigration and other law and order issues. The Phoenix business owners informed Sheriff Arpaio of the problems affecting their livelihoods and their quality of life created by the day laborers. They also reported the inappropriate "strong arm" tactics of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and his illegal alien supporters.
Sheriff Arpaio and his deputies took their first important step towards restoring law and order to the 36th & Thomas business district when they arrested the six illegal aliens during routine traffic stops on October 15. According to Judicial Watch and the Phoenix businessmen, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and the Phoenix Police Department had essentially abandoned the citizen tax payers and business owners of the district, organized as the "36th & Thomas Business Coalition." Phoenix Police, at the direction of Gordon and others, refused to enforce solicitation, trespass, loitering, littering and public health ordinance violations by dozens of "day laborers" congregating in the district.
In response to the crackdown, illegal alien advocates have threatened to organize protests by illegal immigrants against certain businesses in the Phoenix area.
"Judicial Watch applauds Sheriff Arpaio for responding to our complaint on behalf of citizens and business owners in Phoenix. I hope the rest of America learns a lesson from Sheriff Arpaio's strict law enforcement approach to the illegal immigration crisis," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "We also hope the rule of law is upheld in the face any unlawful protests by illegal aliens and their supporters. We remain concerned that illegal alien groups will seek to intimidate and harass business owners who have complained to the authorities."
Contact Information: Contact: Jill Farrell 202-646-5188