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Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona might just be the most controversial law enforcement officer in the land. Known for conducting sweeps where he arrests those suspected of being illegal aliens, he is under renewed criticism from not just the ACLU and the typical array of Hispanic advocacy groups, but now the Obama administration opposes his efforts.

Arpaio is very frank when it comes to his attitude toward the federal government’s criticism: “It doesn’t bother me, because we are going to do the same thing…I am the elected sheriff. I don’t take orders from the federal government.” Arpiao claims his sweeps are perfectly legal because he only checks the immigration status of suspects after they have been arrested. Also, he claims to be complying with federal and state law regulating the detention of suspected illegal aliens. Despite this, his critics are investigating his practices, and his office is the subject of a series of lawsuits.

I have long been a fan of Arpaio’s work. Despite the national criticism he receives, his tough stance has won him many allies in Arizona. He won the most recent election with 55% of the vote despite the strong Democratic surge in Arizona as of late. Illegal aliens do not have the right to enter the United States, just as Americans do not have the right to enter and live in Mexico as we please. The Obama administration probably wants to please its Hispanic base, which gave him 66% of the vote in 2008.