Login

Register | Forgot Your Password? | Close

A student protest against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration policies outside of Trevor Browne High School lasted more than three hours and resulted in six arrests -- including two juveniles.

All six admitted they were illegal immigrants and face an Immigration and Customs Enforcement court appearance or possible deportment.

"It's up to ICE," said Phoenix officer James Holmes. "We don't know what's going to happen with them next, or how soon it's going to happen."

But for starters anyone in the group over the age of 18 was processed at the Fourth Avenue Jail. Those younger then 18 were sent to the juvenile detention center, said Holmes.

Many of the protesters said they didn't not fear jail time.

"We worry every day and it's time for us to use that same fear we have for the love of our families and say, 'We're not going to be afraid anymore,'" one protester told KNPX- TV.

Arpaio, in a statement released Wednesday, condemned the protestors and said he would press on with his style of enforcing immigration laws.

"If these students/demonstrators have a concern over the immigration laws they should bring those concerns to Congress, State Legislators, or the White House and not use this Sheriff as their poster boy," Arpaio said in the statement.

MCSO confirmed that four of the people arrested were in the country illegally. Their mugshots are below.

The rally forced closure of 75th Avenue from Thomas Road to Campbell Avenue.

Chants of "Undocumented!, Unafraid!" could be heard from the crowd of more than 100, mostly students with a few adults.

The protesters directed a few of their chants at the sheriff.

"We're here to stay -- Joe Arpaio is not going to scare us anymore," said Daniela Cruz, one of those arrested.

Other chants included: "Arpaio we're here, we're undocumented and we have no fear;" "Up, up with education; down, down with deportation;" "Arpaio we're here. Our community has no fear;" and "No justice, no peace. No racist police."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

share this story:
facebook

120 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
  • Add A Comment 
  • Abuse
    Larry in Glendale wrote...
    If you want to protest
    You should really go down to Mexico and protest the massively corrupt government which causes so many of it's citizens to risk death fleeing their own country.
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    These Kids ??
    I sure hope our tax paying dollars to educate these kids is not being used by school districts to make them feel as though they and their parents are entitled to citizenship and if they think that by protesting that will help their cause they are sadly mistaken ... The Obama administration had their chance when they had a majority and they did'nt do it so not much has changed except for Obama bowing to the cause for politics since he's running for re-election .. If they want change they and their parents should go back to their countries and start there to make a difference !!
  • Abuse
    ILOVESB1070 wrote...
    Don't fear jail ????
    Ok if you are here illegally we will do what we do for those people, deport you and let you figure out how to get back and wait to see if you mother or father would like to come down and file a complaint at the sheriff's office and see the same happens to them !!! When you throw something like this into people's face that is what breeds HATE towards people !!
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Courageous kids, but what a dilemma for them.
    I know plenty of dreamers, and their histories vary. Their status is that they were brought here illegally, when they were too young to know of such things, and have only ever considered themselves to be Americans. Like anyone breaking the law, they will have to accept the consequences of their actions. But the larger point that they are making can be transformative.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Black Americans were a group
    of individuals who would block traffic (illegal), ignore cops (illegal) state that they were acting illegally, trying to make the point that they deserve to be allowed to participate fully in American life. If you think that some humans are lesser beings whose concerns don't deserve to be considered, as most of America did when I was a young boy, then your point makes perfect sense.
  • Abuse
    azjeff1963 wrote...
    Can you say
    Bye Bye......your NOT the Tax Payers problem....your are your illegal parents problem.......go home and protest your parents for breaking the law and putting you in the middle of it.....
  • Abuse
    Minuteman wrote...
    Big difference between
    Black Americans and illegal aliens .
    Protect our borders and our communities
  • Abuse
    Minuteman wrote...
    The larger point they are making(illegal)
    will inform the school district to get rid of them and open their seats up for American children to be taught in classrooms that are not over loaded. This shows that American tax payers are paying for illegal aliens children's education,and possible more. Breakfast and lunch programs, who knows what else.
    Protect our borders and our communities
  • Abuse
    losinmyreligion wrote...
    Protesting..
    is for the CITIZENS of this country. I do believe they all should be arrested and deported. What are they protesting exactly? The fact that they shouldn't be here or the fact that they are getting an education, they aren't paying for? ARREST THEM ALL..
  • Abuse
    losinmyreligion wrote...
    @Michoacan- clearly
    the illegals don't value the FREE education, that they are receiving courtesy of US tax payers..They should be arrested..Civil rights were after slavery. When did the Hispanics support Blks in their struggle? The 2 are completely different.
  • Abuse
    stoptheinsanity wrote...
    they are not American
    and by their actions will never be American..they are Mexican with loyalty to that country and hatred for America...skew it as you must but you are dead wrong...they are clearly beginning a race war in the streets.
  • Abuse
    azreba wrote...
    IF you want to protest
    that is a freedom we have in this country..If you are here illegally and want to protest, wouldn't it behoove you to not protest illegally? Standing in the streets, blocking traffic is going to get you in trouble everytime, no matter your citizenship status..They win no support for their cause doing it the way they did. Your better bet would be to go to your family and request they help you to become a legal citizen of this country so you CAN enjoy and reap the benefits of your education and your life here. don't like living in the shadows, do something productive to change it.
  • Abuse
    stoptheinsanity wrote...
    this is not courage
    its lawbreaking pure and simple and further abuse of our benevolence
  • Abuse
    jsco22 wrote...
    Considered themselves Americans?
    By the sounds of it, no, they consider themselves mexicans and have been taught to hate our country. They actually sound like you Abo cause you hate the United States and all she stands for.
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    You don't need ICE
    To deport them.Take the criminals right to the border and give them the boot!
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    Just more of Mexico's
    Criminal invading trash.
  • Abuse
    Jeff Staton wrote...
    There is a due process here
    We don't live in a Police State. Don't you get it?
  • Abuse
    Jeff Staton wrote...
    Hatred for America?
    Most of their life they have lived in the US. The long to become American if there would be a system to do so, but there is not (for them).
  • Abuse
    Jeff Staton wrote...
    Wrong!!
    The schools in America are funded at a 90% level by the sales tax that EVERYONE pays. So, you are dead wrong on stating that American tax payers are paying for their education. In fact, every person that lives in AZ is paying for every AZ children education.
  • Abuse
    Minuteman wrote...
    And again
    where am I wrong? I'm an American tax paying citizen and I am paying for illegal aliens students to be taught in our schools, face facts. I am also correct that our schools classrooms are overloaded. More students to teacher ratios. The illegal aliens should be deported and that would ease the over crowding in the classrooms ,plus it will allow for school funds to be spent on American children, better education means better results.
    Protect our borders and our communities
  • Abuse
    Minuteman wrote...
    Jeff
    there is a system in place, in fact one that lets in more legal immigrants per year than all other countries. Their parents knowingly broke the immigration law and as such are subject to the consequences of that law.
    Protect our borders and our communities
  • Abuse
    wrote...
    The due proccess here is
    Arrest and swiftly deport the criminal illegal alien invaders swiftly! They have NO right to be here to begin with! I guess you don't get it!

World Class Arizona

  • Avnet

    World Class People. World Class Company. Here's information on a Fortune 500 company from Arizona.

Voice For A Better Arizona