Ariz. Sheriff Arpaio backs down from racial profiling

TUCSON, June 8 (UPI) -- Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio is backing off enforcement of U.S. immigration law in response to a court ruling his discriminates against Latinos.

A federal judge ordered Arpaio two weeks ago to stop using race or ancestry when determining which drivers are pulled over by police, The Christian Science Monitor reported Friday.

Tim Casey, Arpaio's attorney, said his client has backed away from the controversial enforcement program.

"There will not be roundups of people because they were in the country unlawfully, period," Casey said.

At an upcoming hearing, Arpaio will discuss with lawyers and a judge how he can ensure there are "no further uses of race in any law enforcement decisions," Casey said.

Evelyn Cruz, an immigration law professor at Arizona State University in Tempe, said the ruling in Arpaio's case will likely have an effect nationwide.

"Officers across the country will make sure that their policies are well written, and that their officers are well trained, and that they don't just shoot from the hip," Cruz said.