1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned resident of Phoenix regarding the expansion of the 287(g) program and its impact on the rights and dignity of our communities. While immigration enforcement is an important issue, the growing involvement of local law enforcement—without sufficient safeguards—raises serious concerns about racial profiling, wrongful detentions, and the increasing hostility toward individuals based on perceived immigration status. It is essential to recognize that racial profiling was deemed unconstitutional in United States v. Maricopa County (2017), the federal case against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The court found that his department engaged in unlawful racial profiling, disproportionately targeting Latinos under the guise of immigration enforcement. Yet, despite this ruling, the expansion of 287(g) continues to raise concerns about civil rights violations and a lack of oversight. In Arizona and across the country, communities are experiencing the harmful effects of these policies. Reports have surfaced of U.S. citizens being unlawfully detained, families being torn apart, and law enforcement practices discouraging crime reporting due to fears of immigration enforcement. These trends threaten public safety, erode trust in government institutions, and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations. I urge you to take decisive action at the state level to: - Establish stronger oversight for local agencies involved in immigration enforcement. - Implement clear protections against racial profiling and wrongful detentions. - Support accountability measures for officers and agencies that violate civil rights. - Ensure public transparency in how immigration enforcement policies are applied. As your constituent, I ask that you advocate for policies that uphold equal protection under the law and foster a safe, respectful environment for all residents of Arizona. I appreciate your leadership and look forward to your response on this urgent matter.