The Department of Justice vs. Sheriff Joe Arpaio

The Justice Department announced Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against Arizona Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Maricopa County for failing to turn over documents in an investigation into alleged discrimination, unconstitutional searches and seizures, and jail policies that discriminate against people with limited English skills. In their complaint, the government agency says the sheriff’s office has failed to turn over documents relating to the case and has refused to cooperate. It is the first time in decades a lawman has refused to cooperate in one of the agency’s probes. Sheriff Arpaio says the government is targeting him — and Arizona.

We speak to Valeria Fernandez, journalist for “Feet in 2 Worlds”, a project from the New School that brings the stories of immigrant communities to public radio, in Phoenix.