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ImmigrationProf Blog
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Phoenix Police to Question Crime Suspects About Immigration Status

By immigrationprof

The police in Phoenix, Arizona will soon ask all people arrested whether they are in the United States legally and will in certain cases report the information to the federal authorities, Mayor Phil Gordon announced on Friday. People stopped for civil traffic violations, and crime victims and witnesses, wi;; not be questioned about their immigration status under the new policy.  Those arrested on criminal charges will be asked by officers whether they are in the United States legally. The police may decide to recommend checking by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Who might the police recommend for further checking?  Regulations are being drafted on this and other aspects of the policy.

The N.Y. Times quotes Antonio D. Bustamante, a member of Los Abogados, a Hispanic legal group in Phoenix, who said the policy changed “only because of xenophobia” and people “who hate the undocumented without understanding the huge contribution they make to the city and the economy.” For the full N.Y. Times story about these developments, click here.

KJ