HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT

July 17, 2009:

Arizonans for Immigration Reform will focus on the Arizona implications of the national debate surrounding Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Our perspective differs somewhat from the national reform movement and DC-based CIR messengers because of our unique angle of vision – we live the outcomes of a broken system every day in a state that is Ground Zero for the consequences of failed immigration policies.

We also should observe in this first update that on occasion our perspective will differ from that of some activists who often make news in Arizona. A case in point is our response to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s initiative recently announced to reform use of the 287g program as implemented by ICE.

We take this move by Secretary Napolitano to be a potentially important step towards reining in rogue law enforcement in Arizona, and particularly the behavior of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. In two separate sessions with DHS Undersecretary John Morton organized by Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Valley Interfaith Project leaders presented the case for stronger oversight and a clear policy change to targeting serious crime. Secretary Napolitano seems to be listening.

Arizona faith communities have firsthand experience dealing with the consequences of Sheriff Arpaio’s sweeps. We will be the first to know if the new DHS oversight will or will not improve the situation as it is lived out by families in Maricopa County communities.

Frank Pierson