Hooray for Arizona #4

This article appeared in The American Thinker blog:

April 26, 2010


Arizona just doing the job the Feds refuse to do

Stephen Bennett



Arizona, by enacting a strict illegal immigration law has decided it wants less murders, kidnappings, assaults, rapes, human smuggling, drop houses, home invasions, welfare recipients; and fewer illegitimate users of their schools, health care and judicial systems. What's not to like and cheer on about that?



Maricopa County, Arizona is the best area in the country for reliable illegal alien crime statistics. The county sheriff, Joe Arpaio, has aggressively decided to combat illegal alien crime in his county. He has partnered with federal ICE for several years through the 287(g) program which trains local law enforcement personnel in determining and dealing with illegal aliens.



He has a well staffed Triple I Unit (Illegal Immigrant Interdiction Unit). However, due to the Obama Administration's willful tact on reducing immigration enforcement they have harassed Sheriff Arpaio, even altering his 287(g) authority in an attempt to prevent him from actively arresting illegal aliens. The effectiveness of Arpaio has been lessened in fighting illegal immigration as a result. The good news is that Arizona has recently enacted a strict illegal immigration law, that should it withstand the inevitable court challenges from the left, will not only enable Sheriff Arpaio continue his job but empower other state and local police to do the same.



A report issued by Maricopa County's Attorney General Andrew Thomas in October 2008 reveals the extent of Arizona's problem with crime committed by illegal immigrants.



In 2007, illegal immigrants accounted for:



10% of sex crimes convictions

11% of murders convictions

13% of stolen cars convictions

13% of aggravated assaults convictions

17% of those sentenced for violent crimes

19% of those sentenced for property crimes

20% of those sentenced for felony DUI

21% of crimes committed with weapons

34% of those sentenced for the manufacture, sale or transport of drugs

36% of those sentenced for kidnapping

44% of forgeries

50% of those sentenced for crimes related to "chop shops"

85% of false ID convictions

96% of smuggling convictions



Illegal immigrants make up 19 percent of those convicted of crimes in Maricopa County and 21 percent of those in county jails.



Illegal immigrants make up an estimated 9 percent of the county's population.



It is estimated that each violent crime cost citizens $20,000, and each property crime cost citizens $4363 per offense.



So, after passage of the Arizona law what did the "undocumented" community and their supporters, most all law abiding lovers of America only coming here to work to provide for their families and engage in the American Dream (according to La Raza, LULAC, the ACLU, Cardinal Mahoney and certain politicians) do? Take a look:



Small Riot Breaks Out at Immigration Protest



Here's an aerial view of that "small" riot



Never one to miss a photo op or protest event on the left, professional grievance monger Al Sharpton has just announced he's ready to join the fray and commit civil disobedience over Arizona's stand to protect her citizens and enforce immigration law that the feds won't. Taking one out of the Obama playbook, he obviously believes the Arizona legislature has "acted stupidly".

Posted at 07:59 AM