Xenophobia Gone Berserk: When A City Uses Immigration Fears to Steal Property

Daughter of Mexican field laborer. Near Chandler, Arizona, 1930s

In 1997, a group of residents has filed a $35 million lawsuit accusing police in Chandler, Ariz., of violating civil rights during a July roundup with a stated goal of rooting out illegal immigrants.  The motivation for the nationally infamous "Chandler Roundup" was to rid the downtown of its established Latino population so that Chandler could move forward with a white-bread urban redevelopment plan spearheaded by Michael Kerski, director of the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership.  In attempts to empty a neighborhood in order to build condominiums next to a luxury resort, police mass arrested and detained or deported residents, including many United States citizens, under the guise of a joint operation with immigration.  The action netted 432 immigrants but also resulted in civil rights violations against dozens of documented immigrants and Hispanic Americans who were stopped and interrogated by police simply because of their ethnicity.  “I went to open the door and they rushed in. It’s a miracle they didn’t knock me down,” said Jose Felix, an elderly green card holder who lived in the area.  

The Chandler Roundup, which took place in 1997 in Chandler, Arizona, was a controversial operation aimed at enforcing immigration laws. While it sought to address concerns about illegal immigration, it also generated significant debate and criticism, particularly from immigration advocates. This article provides a perspective on the Chandler Roundup, examining the human and civil rights implications of such operations.

Balancing Enforcement with Human Rights:

Immigration enforcement is a complex issue, and the Chandler Roundup underscores the ongoing debate between enforcing immigration laws and upholding human rights. Immigration advocates often emphasize that any enforcement actions must be carried out while respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals involved.

Dehumanizing Approach:

From an immigration advocate's perspective, the Chandler Roundup was problematic because it was criticized for using tactics that many considered dehumanizing. Mass detentions, checkpoints, and sweeps can lead to racial profiling and the harassment of individuals, including those with lawful status. “In the roundup, to get 432 detainees, they stopped thousands of people,” said Chandler City Councilman Martin Sepulveda, who was in office during the roundup and still disagrees with how it was handled. “Are those acceptable odds? Are you willing to forgo someone’s constitutional rights?”

Impact on Families:

Advocates argue that immigration enforcement actions often have profound consequences on families. The Chandler Roundup led to the separation of families and created fear within immigrant communities.

Rights Violations:

Critics of the Chandler Roundup pointed out potential rights violations, including violations of due process and the Fourth Amendment. They argue that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to certain legal protections. In investigations of 91 formal complaints from the roundup filed by 71 different people concerning incidents during the raid in which they were stopped and asked for papers 23 led to arrests and only three of the arrestees were found to be illegal immigrants.

Community Trust:

Immigration advocates stress the importance of fostering trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. Aggressive enforcement actions like the Chandler Roundup can deter individuals from reporting crimes or cooperating with authorities. “There is no confidence in the police,” said Benjamín Flores, a Chandler resident who remembers the roundup. “If someone sees a patrol car, they hide and get intimidated.”

Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

Many immigration advocates argue that incidents like the Chandler Roundup highlight the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform. They emphasize that a balanced and compassionate approach is necessary to address the complexities of immigration.

In the end, the plaintiffs did not get $35 million, but there were several lawsuits in which hundreds of thousands of dollars were awarded to US citizens and legal immigrants who were unlawfully harassed, detained, or deported.

The Chandler Roundup serves as a contentious chapter in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement in the United States. Immigration advocates stress the importance of a humane and rights-based approach to immigration that balances law enforcement with respect for individual dignity, family unity, and community trust. It is their hope that such an approach will lead to more just and effective immigration policies in the future.

Special thanks to some of the sources from which material in this post comes, Including The East Valley Tribune , The Washington Post , and Phoenix New Times .