Recall of notorious migrant sweep lingers

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MESA — Arizona's debate over illegal immigration and a state lawmaker's recent comments about a 1950s mass deportation program have caused some memories of a 1997 immigration roundup in Chandler to resurface.

The Chandler roundup, conducted by local authorities in conjunction with the U.S. Border Patrol, led to the apprehensions of about 430 immigrants. Among the biggest complaints against law enforcement during the roundup was that some Hispanic Americans and legal residents were stopped by police.

Arizona's border woes have taken center stage in state politics as some state and local officials have rejected the long-held notion that cracking down on illegal immigration is the sole province of the federal government.

Republican state Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa drew criticism last month by saying in a a radio interview that he supports reinstating a 1950s federal deportation program known as "Operation Wetback." He has refused to apologize for using the pejorative term "wetback."

Pearce has since backed away from his statements on the radio and claims he was never calling for the deportation program to be reinstated, the East Valley Tribune reported Sunday.

While some Hispanic residents don't know about Pearce and haven't heard his comments, the political atmosphere has aroused fears of another roundup.