The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is requesting legal guidance on immigrant detention from the Department of Homeland Security.
After the County Attorney advised the Sheriff that holding immigrants on ICE detainers was illegal, MSCO now releases those individuals after they meet the court-ordered requirements.
ICE has challenged the policy in statements calling it unfortunate and accusing the Sheriff of putting the city at risk.
As of Wednesday the Sheriff’s Office confirms it has released 33 immigrants that had been flagged for violations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
On Thursday Sheriff Penzone wrote to DHS Secretary John Kelly requesting he “provide consistent, legal and constitutional guidelines for local and state law enforcement officials.”
The Sheriff also questioned how the County can legally perform immigration law enforcement functions because previous civil rights violations by the department prevent them from doing so.
