By Marissa |

The state, The Grand Canyon State continues to be the middle of lots of dispute through the last few years. The issue over SB1070, that allows officers to check the immigration status of everyone they think can be illegal, is nevertheless unsettled, as the Obama administration has questioned the constitutional grounds of the law, which Governor Jan Brewer has decried. The Department of Justice decided to such Joe Arpaio, Sheriff of Maricopa County. This just heats up the battle between Arizona and the federal government. An investigation was being conducted on civil rights abuse. The Department of Justice says Joe Arpaio didn't cooperate in this.

Article source - Infamous lawman Joe Arpaio taken to court by Justice Department by Newystype.com.

Joe Arpaio was the sheriff suspected of discrimination

Sheriff Arpaio was supposedly trying to "sweep" illegal immigrants by targeting only Hispanics which is why the investigation began. The Maricopa County Sheriff sends deputies into intensely Hispanic areas, where they will stop anyone for minor reasons, as outlined by the Los Angeles Times. At the point of detention, deputies will check the immigration status of suspects. Doing this was expected by everybody. It was even expected before Arizona immigration law was in place. The Justice Department asked Sheriff Arpaio for documentation of these sweeps. He was unwilling to give it up. Federal investigators weren't given the material requested. There weren't even allowed into the building.

Received many lawsuits

Lawsuits are seen by the Maricopa Sheriff already. It has happened numerous times. His jail is called Tent City and has tents within the desert with high fences with barbed wire around it, and several have sued him for family dying in this jail. ABC explains that an investigation as a result of corruption is being done by the grand jury for Sheriff Arpaio and also the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. The Office got the request for materials and paperwork over a year ago. This came from the Justice Department. Attorneys suing Arpaio's department were supposed to be able to get a hold of the documents that a federal judge found the Sheriff's Office had wrecked.

Further reading

ABC News

blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/09/justice-department-sues-arizona-sheriff-joe-arpaio.html

LA Times

latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-lawsuit-arpaio-20100903,,2874529.story