tags: Press Releases

Mesa Police Chief Calls for Common-Sense Federal Solution on Immigration

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Frank Sharry: Gascon Approach to Building Up Communities in Sharp Contrast to Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Heavy-Handed Tactics

A New York Times op-ed from Mesa, AZ Police Chief George Gascon (below) provides a sensible blueprint to guide state and local police attempting to do their jobs in the shadow of a “bankrupt federal immigration policy.” Chief Gascon rightly points to the fact that it’s up to Congress and the President – not local law enforcement authorities – to resolve the illegal immigration problem with a balanced approach that combines smart enforcement with fair treatment of immigrants. The Gascon approach is notable both for its common-sense approach as well as its contrast with the extremist, anti-immigrant methods of the controversial Maricopa County, AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Earlier this week, the Washington Post editorialized about the Phoenix area sheriff that some are calling the Bull Connor of our generation (also below).

The following is a statement from Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice:

“There’s a right way and a wrong way to uphold the law. Enforcement of a sensible variety, as demonstrated by Chief George Gascon, engenders trust and makes the entire community safer. Enforcement of the extremist variety, as demonstrated by Joe Arpaio, engenders fear and places the entire community at risk. While Gascon makes community safety and fixing the broken immigration system his paramount concerns, Arpaio uses an extremist approach centered on racial profiling to generate headlines and raise his own political profile. The Metro Phoenix region is lucky to have a dedicated public servant like George Gascon to provide a sharp, welcome contrast to Arpaio’s methods.