287(g)

This week the New Yorker has a great profile on “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. Since 1993 he has been a controversial figure in Arizona, repeatedly accused of depriving prisoners of their rights and allowing abuse within his jails. The writer follows Arpaio as he visits one of his jail tent camps, draws up press releases, and even makes an appearance on the Colbert Report. Arpaio oversees the enforcement of immigration law in Maricopa County under 287(g). His department conducts raids on Latino towns and communities and has created a general atmosphere of fear in the county. The mayor of Phoenix, Phil Gordon, has called Arpaio’s relentless pursuit of undocumented immigrants a “reign of terror” and publicly denounced his practices. An interesting read if you have a few minutes. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/07/20/090720fa_fact_finnegan

A little closer to home, the Independent Weekly has an article about 287(g) and its effects on Durham and Wake Counties.
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A398284