Arpaio Vows to Keep Up Immigration Fight

PHOENIX - Janet Napolitano is on the frontlines of the national fight against illegal immigration, and Sheriff Joe Arpaio is on the frontlines of the local fight. But the Homeland Security Secretary and Maricopa County Sheriff do not see eye to eye on the issue.

The Homeland Security Department on Friday said it was changing the rules allowing local police to enforce those laws.

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The 287G agreement allowed Arpaio to enforce federal immigration laws. But according to Homeland Security, the updated 287G agreement addresses concerns that people are being arrested for minor offenses as an excuse to deport them. That's an accusation that the Sheriff has heard many times.

"I don't think they like my crime suppression operations. I also feel this is somewhat going toward amnesty," says Arpaio.

All law enforcement agencies participating in 287G will need to sign the new agreement in order to continue -- and the new agreement has a provision that the sheriff's opponents are applauding.

"He can no longer just catch and deport like he is doing now," says Lydia Guzman, of Somos America. "He has to prosecute each and every case. Meaning he can't just stop someone for a minor traffic violation like he is now. He has to prosecute those cases.

If the sheriff doesn't sign the new agreement, he'll lose his ability to enforce federal immigration law. He has 90 days to sign the paper.

Even if he doesn't sign the new agreement, the sheriff will still be able to enforce state law, like the employer sanctions law.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon statement

"Todays announcement carries another message for our community. Let me be blunt, Gordon said, this confirms that Homeland Security has taken the concerns about Sheriff Joe Arpaios abuses and misallocation of resources seriously. He can no longer hide behind the illusion that breaking up families at car washes and amusement parks is somehow making us safer as a community."