Since his ousting as sheriff of Maricopa County in Arizona seven years ago, Joe Arpaio’s controversial immigration crackdowns have left taxpayers footing the bills for legal and compliance costs. The total cost of overhauling the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office due to a racial profiling verdict is expected to reach $314 million by mid-summer 2025, with $41 million recently approved by county officials being the most expensive expense for taxpayers since the lawsuit was filed in 2007. Despite some progress, the agency has not yet been deemed fully compliant with the court-ordered changes.
The heavy compliance costs have sparked debate and criticism in Arizona, with critics citing these costs in discussions about entering consent decrees with the U.S. Justice Department and a proposed ballot measure that would involve local police in immigration enforcement. Raul Piña, a member of a community advisory board, criticized the efforts of Arpaio and his successors to comply with the court-ordered changes but expressed cautious optimism about the current sheriff, Russ Skinner. Skinner’s acknowledgment of the agency’s failures at a community meeting was seen as a positive step towards accountability.
The majority of the spending on the sheriff’s office turnaround goes towards hiring employees to meet the court’s requirements and monitoring compliance with the court-ordered overhauls. Arpaio, who remains unapologetic about his immigration crackdowns, defended his actions citing authority from Arizona’s 2005 immigrant smuggling ban. Despite questioning from critics about the financial costs versus possible gains from enforcement efforts, Arpaio focused on recent border crossings as evidence of ongoing challenges.
Studies conducted since the profiling verdict show discrepancies in how deputies treat Hispanic and Black drivers compared to other drivers during traffic stops. While the agency’s compliance percentages are high on two of the three court orders, there are lingering concerns about the internal affairs unit, which has faced criticism for bias and a backlog of open cases. Former Sheriff Paul Penzone, who was replaced by Skinner, was found in civil contempt of court for delays in closing internal affairs investigations.
The ongoing taxpayer costs and legal challenges stemming from Arpaio’s immigration crackdowns continue to impact Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, with the total bill expected to rise significantly in the coming years. The agency’s efforts to achieve full compliance with court-ordered changes remain a focal point of discussion in law enforcement and political circles in Arizona, with lingering debates about the effectiveness and repercussions of such aggressive immigration enforcement measures.
