Judge says Ariz. sheriff’s office racially profiles

PHOENIX – A federal judge ruled Friday that the office of America’s self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically singled out Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols, marking the first finding by a court that the agency racially profiles people.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow in Phoenix backs up years of allegations from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s critics who say his officers violate the constitutional rights of Latinos in relying on race in their immigration enforcement.

Snow, whose ruling came more than eight months after a seven-day, non-jury trial, also ruled Arpaio’s deputies unreasonably prolonged the detentions of people who were pulled over.

The ruling marks a thorough repudiation of the immigration patrols that made Arpaio a national political figure, and it represents a victory for those who pushed the lawsuit.

“For too long the sheriff has been victimizing the people he’s meant to serve with his discriminatory policy,” said Cecilia D. Wang, director of the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. “Today we’re seeing justice for everyone in the county.”

Monetary damages weren’t sought in the lawsuit but rather a declaration that Arpaio’s office engages in racial profiling and an order that requires it to make policy changes.

Stanley Young, the lead lawyer who argued the case against Arpaio, said Snow set a hearing for June 14 where he will hear from the two sides on how to make sure the orders in the ruling are carried out.

The sheriff, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, won’t face jail time as a result of Friday’s ruling.

Tim Casey, Arapio’s lead attorney in the case, said an appeal was planned in the next 30 days.

“In the meantime, we will meet with the court and comply with the letter and spirit of the order,” he said.

Arpaio, who turns 81 next month, was elected in November to his sixth consecutive term as sheriff in Arizona’s most populous county.