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December 16, 2011

Justice Dept. Accuses Ariz. Sheriff of Anti-Hispanic Bias 
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The Justice Department has issued a scathing report accusing a prominent
Arizona sheriff of widespread discrimination and civil rights violations
against Hispanics and unlawful retaliation against critics who spoke out
on in opposition. On Thursday, federal investigators said Sheriff Joe
Arpaoi of Maricopa County targeted Hispanic residents, illegally
detaining and then denying them basic rights behind bars. The findings
could subject Arpaio to court-ordered reforms. He is also currently
under criminal investigation by a criminal grand jury in Phoenix. On the
heels of the report, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has
announced it's cutting its ties with Arpaio, including the suspension of
programs under which undocumented immigrants are handed over to federal
authorities for deportation. The report comes at a time Arpaio has
recently faced growing calls to resign following mounting evidence his
police department neglected scores of sex crimes.



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