ICE is out of place in Arizona

OPINION — Should area law enforcement or our town cooperate with ICE? No.

On Jan. 12, Peter Yazzie was at a Phoenix/Peoria QT parking lot, readying for work, when ICE arrived and told him to stand facing his vehicle. He was reportedly forced to the ground and detained in a holding cell for four hours. Yazzie is Native American and a US citizen.  

Was Peter Yazzie on any “deport” list, “criminal” list, or “illegal immigrant” list?

The existence of these lists is apparently irrelevant when it comes to ICE detaining anyone. Is it that some don't appear “white” enough or “citizen” enough for them? It certainly appears they are often racially profiling.

We have a significant Native American and immigrant population here that would, at the very least, be denigrated, if not made fearful, by ICE presence in our community.

Cooperate, assist or welcome ICE? No. They require training and leadership control. MCSO already possesses those attributes.

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