AP / Yahoo News: Maricopa, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio to halt squad targeting immigrant ID theft - "Since 2008, Arpaio has raided 83 businesses, leading to more than 700 immigrants in the country illegally being charged with using fake or stolen IDs to get jobs. The raids have been criticized as focusing too heavily on the workers instead of employers." [The GOP is almost as bad, but Democrats are always calling for 'employer sanctions,' and yet they never want workplace raids. How else would the law find illegals working with fake IDs to a degree demonstrating an employer's complicity?]

Sheriff to halt squad targeting immigrant ID theft



Lydia Guzman - Google Images

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona sheriff known for arresting hundreds of immigrants on charges of finding work using fake or stolen identities is planning to close the controversial squad that investigates such cases.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's decision to disband the criminal employment squad will end his last major foothold in immigration enforcement after the courts and federal government have gradually reined in his powers in recent years.

Since 2008, Arpaio has raided 83 businesses, leading to more than 700 immigrants in the country illegally being charged with using fake or stolen IDs to get jobs. The raids have been criticized as focusing too heavily on the workers instead of employers.

"Here is guy who abused these laws and twisted them in such a sick way to do it for political gain. But I am glad that the reign over immigrants is over," said Lydia Guzman, a civil rights advocate who documented many of Arpaio's business raids and immigration patrols. ...

http://news.yahoo.com/sheriff-halt-squad-targeting-immigrant-id-theft-160639485.html