L.A. Attorneys to the Rescue of Jailed Illegals

The Los Angeles-based Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CHRC) has been called on by the Mexican Consul General to defend scores of “document challenged” immigrants now being arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona under a state human trafficking law.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio (pictured) has formed a posse of 100 volunteers from his 3,000 reserve deputies to enforce the recently-passed law against smuggling. Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has interpreted the legislation to include not only the “coyotes,” but those who “smuggled themselves” across the border.

Los Angeles attorney Peter Schey, of the CHRC, says he will file tomorrow (May 5th) a motion to dismiss the charges, claiming Maricopa is violating federal immigration law. A hearing will be held May 23rd by Superior Court Judge Thomas O’Toole, and whatever he decides, it is likely to be appealed to a higher court.

Arpaio gained notoriety in the past few years for his tent city jail, where inmates are organized into chain gangs, wear stripped uniforms and pink underwear. His tent jail can hold up to 2,000 prisoners. He announced that “it’s important to send the message out, to stay in Mexico, and don’t come roaming around here hoping you’re going to get amnesty.”

Rep. Jonathan Paton (R-Tucson), who co-wrote the smuggling law, predicts “It’s going to be a big battle at the court,” and that lawmakers will have to review how much jailing the violators will cost. Sheriff Arpaio brags that he is feeding his inmates for 14-cents a meal. Maricopa is Arizona’s largest county.

On Tuesday morning, a Ford Windstar was stopped near Gila Bend for expired California license tags. There were 16 people packed inside, being smuggled into the country. The driver jumped out and ran, but was found hiding in a dumpster.

The law enforcement sweep has also resulted in several drug seizures that were headed for Los Angeles. Arizona has become the main area of illegal entry since the 14-mile wall was built near San Diego