The recent stripping of some of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s powers by the Department of Homeland Security has caused uproar, both cheers and boos, this past month. I was just one of many people who were upset by this action taken against him.

Sheriff Joe, known around the country as “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” can no longer arrest people he suspects to be illegal immigrants based solely on their immigration status. To me, this makes no sense — it’s like not being able to arrest a bank robber based solely on whether or not he or she has robbed a bank.

I see no reason why he shouldn’t be able to arrest illegal immigrants and place them in Tent City. I think we all know what happens when the federal government has total control of immigration: The illegal immigrants get caught, and then they get a nice trip in a bus back home to Mexico where they’ll no doubt try to illegally cross the border again.

If they didn’t feel like going through the naturalization process the first time, logic tells us they won’t hesitate to try again if there is little to no risk.

As Sheriff Joe said in one of many notable interviews with The Washington Times, “My message is clear: If you come here and I catch you, you’re going straight to jail. … I’m not going to turn these people over to the federal authorities so they can have a free ride back to Mexico. I’ll give them a free ride to my jail.”

Xavier Rios, an assistant chief Border Patrol agent in Washington, also commented on the lack of consequences brought upon illegal immigrants by saying, “The majority are offered and granted voluntary removal back to Mexico.”

What kind of message is it when we simply return them to Mexico?

CBS News reported only two years ago on records that proved the “majority” previously mentioned by Rios accounted for 98 percent of all illegal immigrants caught.

It’s basically as if I were to try to rob a bank, and after doing so unsuccessfully, the bank just gives me a ride back to my house. If that were the case, who wouldn’t rob banks?

I know, I know — trying to find a better life in a different country is a lot different than robbing a bank, but in essence, it’s the same idea.

How are the citizens of the United States supposed to believe illegal immigrants are going to follow the laws of our country when they didn’t even follow the first one when they crossed the border without any permission?

At such a crucial time in our history with the recession, we’re a long way away from being able to offer up jobs for immigrants, let alone anybody at all.

When we’re in a surplus again and we have more job openings than people with which to fill them, I invite every hard-working immigrant who wants a better life for themselves and their families to come into the country legally. But now, during this time period with such high unemployment rates, we need to be as strict as ever in fighting illegal immigration.
The federal government needs to recognize that the people of Arizona

have voted for Sheriff Joe in five successive terms.

It needs to respect that we have decided the methods by which Arpaio and his staff operate are OK with us, just as the 10th Amendment promises.

Sheriff Joe is doing something right, and I’m happy that he has claimed he will continue to pursue illegal immigrants despite the Department of Homeland Security’s actions against him. It shows that he’s a leader and that he’s not afraid to protect a county of people even if the burden will fall on his own shoulders.

But even so, the federal government and the Department of Homeland Security need to formally return his powers to him so that he can do his job in peace.

Reach Brian at brian.p.anderson@asu.edu.