Catching up to speed

There have been various significant events that have transpired over the last year and a half that have great weight when it comes to the immigration debate in Phoenix. While there are other events that have happened, the following have become a vital part of any immigration discussion involving Phoenix.

Phoenix Police Officer Nick Erfle was shot an killed by an illegal immigrant in September of 2007.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2008/06/illegal_immigrants_who_shot_at_officers_had_run-ins_with_the_law_last_year.php

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/97683

The "Employer Sanctions Law," was passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor . This law essentially suspends and or revokes the business licenses of Arizona businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

Basic info on the law:
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special46/articles/1128biz-sanctions101.html

Responses to the new law:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/related/71835.php

http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=2efa549b-f5a3-477f-9834-0536716cd30b

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/211554.php

To date, this law has been upheld by every court of law it has come across. Illegal immigrant workers have been detained under the publicly announce enforcement of the Arizona Employer Sanctions Law, but no business has yet to be charged. Many of these investigations are still on going.

Crime Suppression Sweeps: Sheriff Joe and the MCSO (Maricopa County Sheriff's Department) have been conducting Crime Suppression Sweeps in which the majority of arrests have been arrests of illegal immigrants.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115619

http://www.abc15.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=91ed4d77-84c6-4cd7-a410-30b02074ca9f


Protests: All across the valley at places like Pruitt's furniture store on Thomas Road, in the cities that Crime suppression sweeps are taking place, and in the city of Guadalupe, people are voicing their opinions on illegal immigration through protest. Just last week I drove through Guadalupe to find "elect Dan Saban for Sheriff," signs posted in English and Spanish on almost every visible business and home.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/115493

The town of Guadalupe vs. Sheriff Joe:
The town of Guadalupe and Sheriff Joe are at odds of who will be the law enforcement for the city. This week the contract between MCSO and the City of Guadalupe was nullified, leaving the possibility that the small portion of the Phoenix Metro area will not have ANY law enforcement at all. Guadalupe is in essence, no one's jurisdiction.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2008/04/03/20080403mr-MCSO.html

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2008/09/29/20080929superrevote0929-ON.html