Sheriff's Immigration Funds Approved

PHOENIX - It's a win for Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The County Board of Supervisors has voted to give County Attorney Andrew Thomas $1.4 million to enforce employer sanctions laws -- and part of that money will go to Sheriff Joe Arpaio to help combat illegal immigration.

Last week, the board deadlocked on the vote.

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Some of the supervisors were concerned the county had yet to prosecute a single employer under the employer sanctions law.

Statement from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio

"For far too long, the Board of Supervisors have been playing games with money given to this Sheriff Office and the County Attorneys Office by the state legislature and other sources because some Board members dont agree with our stance on certain issues.
"I remain concerned as to why Mary Rose Wilcox and Don Stapley continuously vote against accepting this money to help fight illegal immigration.
"Fortunately, Max Wilsons swing vote today authorizes the acceptance of these funds and means no legal action on my part will be necessary to remedy this situation."

Statement of County Attorney Andrew Thomas

"I am pleased the board of supervisors has belatedly released these needed funds for the fight against illegal immigration. I sincerely hope the political games will end so our office can do the work of the people."