TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - The Pima County sheriff says his department doesn’t have the resources to act as immigration enforcement.
The Arizona Daily Star reports (https://bit.ly/2nQocFr ) that Sheriff Mark Napier said Friday said he’s committed to working with federal agencies, but that his agencies will not be seeking out undocumented immigrants.
He said it’s important undocumented members of the community don’t fear coming forward as victims or witnesses.
Napier says in addition to staffing issues - 500 sworn members of the sheriff’s department cover 9,200 square miles of land - the Pima County jail also doesn’t have the capacity to detain a large number of undocumented immigrants. The jail houses about 1,825 inmates and has the capacity for 2,000.
Tucson police Chief Chris Magnus has also said the police department does not have the resources for immigration enforcement duties.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, https://www.tucson.com
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