Morning Poll: Are You Buyin' Joe Arpaio's Claim That Immigrants Are Avoiding Maricopa County?

Marciopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio claimed yesterday that "intelligence sources" tell him that illegal immigrants and drug smugglers are avoiding Maricopa County to avoid him and his tough guy antics.He says smugglers are now choosing to use alternate routes through Arizona after crossing the border.However, the claim came in the...

By James King

July 14, 2011

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Marciopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio claimed yesterday that "intelligence sources" tell him that illegal immigrants and drug smugglers are avoiding Maricopa County to avoid him and his tough guy antics.

He says smugglers are now choosing to use alternate routes through Arizona after crossing the border.

However, the claim came in the same press release announcing the arrests of 10 illegal immigrants in the north Valley Tuesday night, and the recent seizure of a ton of marijuana abandoned by drug smugglers as they ran from authorities.

Clearly, smugglers and immigrants aren't too worried about America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff," despite Arpaio's claim.

We want to know what you think, though: do you buy Arpaio's claim that smugglers and illegal immigrants are avoiding Maricopa County because they're afraid of him?

Cast your vote below.

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