Clinton supporter knocks Jane Sanders after Arpaio visit

WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- A Hillary Clinton supporter in Congress took aim at Jane Sanders, wife of Sen. Bernie Sanders, after her cordial meeting with controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., sent out a statement from his own campaign, criticizing Sanders for touring the "tent city" jail Arpaio runs in Maricopa County, Ariz., where he is known for cracking down on illegal immigrants. During the meeting, video of which was posted online, Sanders quizzes Arpaio on his immigration positions, then thanks him for his "hospitality."

Gutierrez, who has endorsed Clinton in the Democratic primary, blasted Sanders for not calling out Arpaio to his face. Bernie Sanders' campaign later put out a statement criticizing Arpaio, calling his treatment of undocumented people "inhumane."

"When Jane Sanders visited Joe Arpaio's inhumane detention center, the Sanders campaign had a chance to tell Arpaio to his face that he was wrong and that he needed to resign -- as many of us have said for years. Instead, they heard him out, thanked him for his 'hospitality' and, contrary to their claims, made their criticisms through a press release and a series of tweets," Gutiérrez said. "Joe Arpaio doesn't deserve a fair hearing. He is wrong on nearly everything: his immigration policies, his indefinite detention and practices that violate human rights, his tearing families apart, his support of the demagogue Donald Trump. All Joe Arpaio wants is the spotlight -- and it's a shame the Sanders campaign helped give it to him."

Arpaio has endorsed Donald Trump for president.