Sweep of Latinos in Arizona Called Rights Violation

PHOENIX — Local police and U.S. Border Patrol agents trampled on civil rights when they swept through a largely Latino neighborhood in suburban Chandler last July, terrifying schoolchildren by day and forcing their way into homes without warrants at night, Arizona Atty. Gen. Grant Woods said Tuesday.

“Skin color was the primary criterion, unfortunately, and often it was the only criterion that was used,” Woods said, calling for the U.S. Justice Department to conduct a civil rights investigation into the Border Patrol and the city government.

The Border Patrol, which is part of the Justice Department’s Immigration and Naturalization Service, said it would itself investigate the allegations raised in Woods’ report or have an outside agency investigate them.

Police officers stopped people based on skin color and accused them of being in the country illegally if they did not speak English well or weren’t carrying birth certificates, the state said in its 41-page report.