Enforcement Dispute

" is given a fair -- balanced out earlier today on fox. On happening now we heard from Maricopa County Arizona share of Joe Arpaio he of course. Why the nation's toughest and most outspoken law enforcers when it comes to the topic of illegal immigration sheriff Arpaio telling fox that he's moving forward. With an immigration sweep today despite a new federal policy. That takes away his power to make immigration arrests here is the sheriff giving his side of the story."

" But they don't like me and force an illegal immigration laws politicians and others in businesspeople want -- we go in and raid. The workplace from arrests those that are here illegally would formally ID we have the human smuggling in a -- suite -- So I don't know I just doing my job. And I'm not gonna stop because. The federal government -- like what I'm doing."

" So we wanted to give the federal government a chance to respond to sheriff Arpaio is comments John Morton. Is the assistant secretary of Homeland Security for the US immigration. And customs enforcement departments good to talk to you sir thanks very much for being here what's your -- with the share. I don't have a before the sheriff. My job is to get immigration enforcement right on the merits and at the end of the -- I felt that. His -- and -- accounting work consistent with our. Enforcement priorities as an agency -- namely that we need to identify and remove. Serious criminal offenders from our jails and -- he says that he and and his team are going in there. To do work that the federal government will not do. If -- if there are illegal immigrants. That that need to be brought in. And brought to justice. Why aren't the feds taking care of that."

" Well we -- and let me tell -- career federal prosecutor and there is. No way that anyone can say that ice is soft on enforcement. We just ended the fiscal year with a record number of removals of aliens here unlawfully in the United States. And a record number of those were equivalent offenders and it just reflects our determination to end of the day to get this right. To focus on the priorities that the American people want to focus on. And that is to start first and foremost for those people who are committing crimes and -- you know endangering. The public safety and that's true and Arizona and just like it's true in New Jersey Virginia California wherever. One finds himself."

" Understood and -- all due respect sir I can only imagine how tuck your job is. But I'm just wondering why you think there are people like sheriff Arpaio. Why there are groups like the minuteman. And so many other groups that are that are going out there and that feel as though they have to take this this job on to themselves that -- they have to go out there that they have to protect the borders. That they have to protect their land and their homes and their families. What do you think that says about the confidence that these people have. In the role of the federal government in terms of enforcing these laws. Well."

" Listen there is no question that immigration is very passionate subject for many on both the left in both the right in your right I do have a tough job and I have to. At the end of the day. Balance a lot of competing. Interest -- there's no question. That part system needs reform that's why the secretary that's why the president are so focused on it but listen I'm here as. Career prosecutor to try to get it right. And under the present circumstances to enforce a law and that's what we're gonna do what does -- take that -- that congress has given us. And we're gonna go out there and we're gonna enforce an immigration laws in a way that is efficient and tough. So let's start first and foremost with criminal offenders."

" Well we are glad to give the administration and the federal government a chance to come on and answer your critics and we appreciate you coming on talking to us today sir thank you very much for your time thank you."