WHO WE ARE – Puente v. Arpaio: STOP THE RAIDS!
Puente Arizona is a grassroots, member-led organization whose mission is to promote justice, human dignity, nonviolence and interdependence. It aims to develop, educate, and empower immigrant communities, and to enhance the quality of life of immigrants.
Elia Estrada is a resident of Mesa, Arizona and the mother of three young children. From 2013 to 2014, she worked in a fast food restaurant to provide for her family. On October 28, 2014, she was arrested by the Gilbert Police Department and charged with using a false identity to work. She later pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and now has a felony conviction on her record.
Sara Cervantes is a resident of Glendale, Arizona and the mother of young children. From 2007 to 2013, she worked up to 14 hours a day at a supermarket to provide for her family. On January 17, 2013, she was arrested at work by the MCSO during a worksite raid. She later pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and now has a felony conviction on her record.
Reverend Susan Frederick Gray, Reverend Russell Andrew Burnette, and Reverend Erin Tamayo are faith leaders and Maricopa County taxpayers who object to the unconstitutional enforcement of the challenged statutes using county taxpayer funds.
Joseph Arpaio is the Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. He has aggressively enforced the worker identity provisions and forgery statutes against immigrant workers in Maricopa County, largely through worksite raids.
Bill Montgomery is the County Attorney for Maricopa County, Arizona. Prior to the District Court’s preliminary injunction, his office oversaw the prosecution of more than 1,800 people for employment-related identity theft and/or forgery, the vast majority of whom were undocumented immigrants.
Maricopa County has financed the enforcement of the worker identity provisions and is liable for the practices and policies of Sheriff Arpaio.
The State of Arizona enacted the challenged laws and is responsible for collecting, storing and disseminating criminal history records of those who have convicted under the laws.