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Press Release

LULAC Leadership Joins Rep. Ben Miranda and State Hispanic Caucus Members in Arizona Denouncing Maricopa County Sheriff’s Anti-Immigrant Actions on May 1st.

We Will Not Continue to Tolerate the Sheriff’s Threats to the Community.

May 1, 2008

For more information contact:
Lizette Jenness Olmos, 202-365-4553

Phoenix , AZ The League of United Latin American Citizens denounces the Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio at the Arizona capitol today on a day when immigration marches are being held nationwide calling for a national day of action.

“Sheriff Arpaio has embarked on a policy of random racial profiling and violation of civil rights. We must all do our part to stop these violations,” said Rep. Ben Miranda.

“Joe Arpaio's sweeps have drawn complaints from local politicians, police and clergy members, who say the operations are at best equivalent to racial profiling,” said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales. “The sheriff denies the accusations, saying his deputies are trained to avoid such practices but is spreading fear throughout the communities.”

Two years ago, massive protests were held in Phoenix and other cities across the nation, drawing more than 1 million demonstrators who wanted humane reforms to U.S. immigration laws. This year the immigrant groups are not as vocal afraid of the repercussions of the sheriff’s use of fear tactics.

LULAC will continue to influence Congress which still needs to solve the immigration problem and implement a comprehensive immigration bill that is fair and workable.

“These are people that are working hard for our nation. They are picking our food. They are building our homes. They are taking care of our children. They are cleaning our offices. And all they want is the same opportunity that your ancestors and my ancestors had,” LULAC National President Rosa Rosales said.

The League of United Latin American Citizen advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. 

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