Judicial Watch has been working together with Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff Joe Arpaio to impose a law and order solution to the illegal immigration problem in Phoenix, Arizona.  Last summer, Judicial Watch lodged a complaint with Sheriff Arpaio on behalf of small businesses, organized as the 36th and Thomas Business Coalition, who were victimized by illegal aliens regularly trespassing on their property.  (Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon had abandoned the needs of Phoenix businesses, allowing the illegal immigration problem to spiral out of control.)  Sheriff Arpaio, also known as "America's Toughest Sheriff," responded, leading to the arrest of six illegal aliens.

Now, with the help of Judicial Watch, small businesses in Phoenix called upon Sheriff Arpaio in a letter dated January 25, 2008, to tackle the problem of illegal immigration street crime.

When illegal aliens cross the border into the United States, they bring with them all manner of social problems, including trespassing, solicitation, loitering, drug dealing, sexual harassment, public urination and defecation.  Unfortunately, the Phoenix Police Department routinely ignores the street crime problem, responding very selectively to only the most egregious crimes that simply cannot be ignored due to violence or loss of property.  The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Arpaio, is the only law enforcement agency enforcing both federal and state immigration laws in Arizona.  The community letter reads in part:

We call upon Sheriff Arpaio to restore law and order to this area.  The policies and practices of the Phoenix Police Department are damaging our businesses, driving down home values and destroying our community.  We’re tired of the political double-talk and excuses.  We’re tired of being harassed and victimized.  Sheriff Arpaio needs to take strong action to restore safety to our community.

Sheriff Arpaio responded -- big time.  The sheriff’s posse saturated the neighborhood to enforce the law – including our nation’s immigration laws.  Stay tuned...

And there was more good news elsewhere in the American Southwest. According to the San Antonio Express News: 

Realizing they were about to thrust the city smack into the middle of the national immigration debate, San Antonio leaders are now balking at the idea of opening a center for day laborers.  Resurrected in the fall as a full-fledged project after more than two decades of inaction, the City Council was poised this month to consider a staff proposal to create a facility where workers, mostly undocumented immigrants from Mexico and Central America, could gather and be hired.  After twice tabling the issue, a presentation scheduled for Tuesday was scrapped indefinitely by council members....

Apparently, San Antonio officials had gotten word Judicial Watch was sniffing around and they decided to avoid the public pressure, investigation and any possible litigation by  Judicial Watch and give up.  Good decision.