Pearce on the left: The prime mover in the most active state legislature for anti immigrant laws is Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce of Mesa AZ Former police officer Minuteman currently considering a run for Congress. He is most well know for his authoring state Bill SB1070 the controversial new law in Arizona taking effect in July of 2010. The passing of this new law has created a lot of controversy and groups around the country are calling it a racist law which will promote racial profiling, as well as create a wedge between the local police force and the Hispanic community which it serves. On the other hand other states and lawmakers of major cities have contacted Pearce to find out how they can enact similar legislation in their states. Pearce has first hand motivation for creating the new law, his son also a police officer was shot by an illegal immigrant. Whichever side of this debate you stand on it has certainly cost the state millions of lost revenue from corporations and groups and cities boycotting business with Arizona. Click his image to see more photographes from this shoot.

Araio on the right: Maricopa County Sherriff Joe Arpaio in his office in Dowtown Phoenix Arizona The other image shows Arpaio in his office at his desk talking on the phone with a call from Carson City Neveda the caller was saying he was a hero and they needed a Sherriff like him to deal with their meth problem I believe the caller was a talk radio personality. His tough stand on enforcing the illegal immigrant laws in the Phoenix area have him at the center of the immigration debate. These new vans operated by the jail have large signs which say report illegal immigrants with an 800 phone number for for people to call in sighting and illegal activity. There is also a sign on the back of the van that says do not enter illegally which copies the design of the common do not enter street sign. Arpaio is most well known for making his prisoners wear pink underwear, sleep in old army tents (Tent City) in the desert heat and prisoners dine on green bologna sandwiches. He is respected by many prisoners for his strait forward talking and has an 80 percent approval rating amongst the phoenix population he is sworn to protect. Click his image to see more photographes from this shoot.