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Immigration crackdown yields 13 arrests on first night
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On the first night of a “crackdown” on illegal immigrants, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested and jailed 13 people on suspicion of smuggling themselves or others into Arizona.
Deputies stopped two carloads of people on suspicion of traffic violations Friday night on or near U.S. 60 near Wickenburg, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
He said deputies pulled over a 2000 Chevrolet van at about 9 p.m. for a lights violation and found eight passengers inside. Deputies arrested one smuggler and six of his customers, who had each paid between $1,000 and $1,800 to be transported to the United States from Mexico.
Arpaio said the van had been heading for Los Angeles. He said there wasn’t enough evidence to arrest a 17-year-old girl in the van, who was handed over to federal immigration officials for possible deportation.
Shortly after 9 p.m., deputies halted a 2001 Nissan sport utility vehicle on suspicion of speeding. Arpaio said a smuggler and five of his customers, who paid $500 to $3,000 each, were arrested, and another 17-year-old girl was handed over to federal officials.
Arpaio said both vehicles fit the profile of vehicles commonly used to transport people in smuggling operations.
The 13 men are being held in county jail awaiting formal charges. Arpaio said it’s a misconception that suspected illegal immigrants are stashed in Tent City, which is reserved for inmates who’ve been convicted.
The Sheriff also launched a hotline on Friday for tipsters to report illegal immigration activity, and he said he’d received 100 messages within the hotline’s first 18 hours. The number is (602) 876-4154.
The types of calls varied.
“A couple didn’t like me,” Arpaio confessed. “But the majority were supportive and gave information on potential drop houses and day labor locations. Some for businesses who hire illegals.”
The sheriff said very few calls were from people reporting on their neighbors, and he maintained that the hotline doesn’t promote racial profiling.
“I never had any allegations, even from the Hispanic population, that we’re profiling,” Arpaio said. He said his office needs information to do its job, and the hotline helps it gather leads.
The number of immigrants jailed for possibly smuggling themselves or others into Arizona is now 627.
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