By Brian Wright | Maricopa Monitor
Joe Arpaio has an opinion on what should happen with immigrant detainees currently housed at the Pinal County jail if Pinal can’t reach a deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Give them to me.
On Monday, the Maricopa County sheriff said if negotiations break down between Pinal County and ICE and the contract is terminated, he’d be happy to take the detainees at his Durango Jail in Phoenix, The Arizona Republic reported.
In an email to the Maricopa Monitor, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said there’s little to no chance of Arpaio getting what he wants.
“ICE will never allow Sheriff Joe to permanently care for ICE detainees after the Melendres v. Arpaio racial profiling decision — I have a better chance of winning Mega Millions,” Babeu wrote.
Babeu also said Arpaio’s claim about the current number of detainees at the Pinal County jail is incorrect. Arpaio put the number at 356, while Babeu said the number was 504 as of Monday, and Babeu said the Durango Jail — unlike his jail in Florence — is certified to house ICE detainees for less than 72 hours.
Arpaio claimed he could house the detainees at a daily per diem rate of $70.
The per diem is what caused Pinal County leaders to seek a renegotiation of the county’s contract with ICE.
Related: Arpaio’s Fondness For Media Attention The Subject Of New Documentary
