This is “chicken” politics Chicago style. The US government is trying to bring enough pressure to bear to stop what is basically an indictment of the federal government’s complete lack of honesty and competence on immigration matters. I don’t believe any other country on this planet puts up with the crap we take on immigration issues. They simply secure their borders and make sure their laws don’t allow illegal immigrants to thrive. When they don’t they have the same problems we have today.

And next the Fed’l Gov’t will be telling our City, County, and State Law Enforcement departments that they must not concentrate law enforcement officers in high crime areas - they must be distributed evenly throughout their jurisdictions.

Looking at the comments, it appears that fears of federal encroachment are a greater threat to liberty than lawmen ignoring the law for their own pursuits.
  ProPublica, I appreciate your ability to present us with impartiality in your stories.  I like that you haven’t conflated commentary with journalism.  I just wonder if audiences (no doubt, myself included) can read stories without invoking what we would expect political commentators to say.

It boggles the mind that the Federal government can bring suit to defend its own incompetence, paid for with public funds.

How is the public trust justified in defense of foreign nationals at the purse strings of our citizenry?

I live in AZ and this guy is a buffoon and thinks this is the wild wild west.  He strong arms his deputies to contribute to the sheriffs fund, he makes raids only when cameras are rolling and have you noticed that while he is posturing for the camera AZ’s meth problem has shot through the roof?  Criminals are doing whatever they want in this state because this guy is so corrupt.  BTW his kids have the linen service contract with his office and another family member has a food service contract.

Because this is a report of current actions, it provides zero context for the federal actions, leaving room for bigots to squawk about how they, ironically, have the sense of being unfairly targeted.  Arpaio has a long history of violating civil rights in Mariposa County which is easily documented.  Federal action is not some out of the blue sucker punch.  In addition, the simple repetition of Brewer’s inane objections over including her human rights violating law in a UN human rights report (not an active review of AZ) without describing how it is in fact a factual report on the current status of this law is a little misleading.

Well, what goes around comes around. Another poster stated “no other country allows illegal immigration like the U.S.”

To that I add no country other than the U.S. manipulated, contributed to, and sole profitted from the collapse of Mexico’s currency and therefore economy. Mexican citizens suffered widespread poverty and suffering due to the manipulation of Mexico’s currency until it’s economy collapsed, thanks to U.S. greed, and that the reason so many illegal immigrants came to this country. At least our government has the decency to tacitly admit involvement by not producing legislation to stop or prevent it. No party - either democratic or republican - has made much effort to address or stop illegal immigration. While it makes some people furious, the truth is so complicated there are no easy answers yet.

Although a citizen, it’s offensive to hear so much hate directed against people just trying to survive. The issue is very complicated and is not easy to address, mostly because it rests at the doorstep of U.S. greed by some of the richest and powerful citizens. Iimmigration suddenly exploded during the late 1990’s and so far not much effort to really address it. With the knowledge of policymakers regarding the why, most are trying to find thoughtful solutions (praise our living God) and to not compound evil with even more evil.

Jesus implored us to do for one another. He reminded that “the poor will always be with you” (knowing man’s nature) and we should always care about each other. Christianity is not just reading the Bible and going to church - it’s keeping Christ in your heart - not just your mouth.

Arpaio has cost the residents of Maricopa county countless millions of dollars out of lawsuit settlements due to his heavy handed law enforcement and jail administration. This is just one more preventable incident that he could have prevented. Then again, he wouldn’t get the press he wants should he act like most other county sheriffs in this country.

So what is taking Obama so long to sue us here in California? We have had the same immigration law here, but it does not seem to bother him at all! So our government picks and chooses who they want to sue and who they want to protect? Arizona needs to sue the government for not even responding to their cries for help. That is a way bigger concern for US citizens that must be addressed NOW!

This entire action by the DOJ is a smoke and mirrors program to hide the Obama administration’s real agenda — to create an entire block of voters who’ve slimed their way into the country in the same way our pretender president slimed his way into the White House.

Under the guise of being politically correct, the administration wants America to call illegals “undocumented aliens,” when in fact, they want them to become undocumented Democrats.

I’m from Michigan, but I fully support Arizona’s law — which only takes responsibility for enforcing federal law already on the books — and have encouraged my owns state to adopt identical law. Additionally, I fully support Sheriff Joe. If the illegals really don’t like the treatment they receive there, they can always go home.

@Paster Dave: You do know illegal aliens can’t vote, don’t you?

@Pastor Dave: You do realize illegal immigrants can’t vote, right?

The ignorant vitriol spouted in some of these comments is neither helpful nor necessary.  No matter what your feelings on the “immigration debate” we should be able to rationally discuss the actions of a law-enforcement officer who appears to be more interested in his own celebrity than in enforcing all the laws of his state and city.  Although he remains a darling of the national nativist movement, his popularity here in AZ is waning as more of his apparent corruption comes to light.

@pastordave: actually hispanics and native americans were here first. all debts are eventually paid as that is the law of nature.

inbred ignorance and hatred is a pandora’s box so your unnatural disrespect for others is obvious & telling. the last thing this country needs is more delusional, self-righteous hatred within its own borders. there is always a way to live together in peace as nothing belongs to man but all to God.

pastor is the name you hide behind.

Reason(?) and Genevieve—

Of course I realize illegal immigrants can’t vote. But why do you think Obama and his Democrat pals are fighting so hard for amnesty?

The amnesty plan is to make illegals legal … and voters.

I have no problem with immigrants from Mexico or anywhere else, providing they come in under the rules others use.

You want in, get a sponsor, get a social security card, get a job and pay your taxes.

OBAMA IS GOING ALL OUT FOR THE HISPANIC VOTES….

AMERICANS SHOULD SUE OBAMA FOR NOT ENFORCING THE IMMIGRATION LAWS..
THE STATES SHOULD ALSO TAKE OBAMA TO COURT FOR THE COST OF THE ILLEGALS.

AMERICA IS BEING INVADED BY ILLEGALS FROM MEXICO AND SOUTH AMERICA AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE.