Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio sues Obama over immigration plan

By Ana Ley

Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 | 10:28 a.m.

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio, an outspoken critic of the federal government, announced late Thursday he’s suing President Barack Obama over his recently unveiled plan to reform the nation’s immigration system.

A group called Freedom Watch is representing Arpaio, the sheriff in Maricopa County, in the suit, which was filed shortly after Obama announced the executive action he plans to sign today in Las Vegas.

The suit calls Obama’s plan unconstitutional and asks for a preliminary restraining order to block it.

“The president cannot simply announce sweeping new rules and implement them by giving a speech,” the suit says.

Obama’s proposal could protect 5 million people living in the country illegally, including parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

“This unconstitutional act by the president will have a serious detrimental impact on my caring [sic] out the duties and responsibilities for which I am encharged [sic] as sheriff,” Arpaio said in a prepared statement issued by Freedom Watch. “Specifically, it will severely strain our resources, both in manpower and financially, necessary to protect the citizens I was elected to serve.”