MCSO Statement

Statement from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office


The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is confused and deeply concerned about the temporary county attorney’s recent decision to reverse the successful policies of the former elected county attorney.

Rick Romley’s statements today indicate the fact that he will no longer charge illegal immigrants under the felony state law as co-conspirators.

This approach is essentially an amnesty policy that protects illegal immigrants who have conspired to violate the state law by entering into agreements with smugglers to transport them into Arizona illegally.

The Sheriff’s Office feels this position is not consistent with the will of the people of Maricopa County who elected Sheriff Arpaio and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas in part because of their tough stance on illegal immigration enforcement and is inconsistent with Romley’s claim of getting tough on organized crime.

Despite Rick Romley’s decision to pick and choose which laws to enforce, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce all aspects of illegal immigration laws.