Sheriff Joe Arpaio says the United States should send the military south of the Mexican border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.
Appearing Sunday on the
Aaron Klein Investigative Radio show, the Maricopa County, Ariz., lawman known as "America's Sheriff" was asked how he would handle the problem if he were president.
"If we are worried about the danger, then I would send the military across the border, work with their military bilaterally and get the job done," Arpaio said.
The Mexican president would have to approve such an action, said Arpaio, who believes he could make that happen.
"I would just go in there and have a few drinks with him and get the job done," Arpaio told Klein.
Story continues below audio.
Even without such a policy, Arpaio said he sees no reason why people who have entered the country illegally should be sent to American courts.
"The minute you cross the border, put them on an airplane and send them back," he said.
Arpaio said that 38 percent of the immigrants his office arrests and turns over to federal authorities are re-arrested by his office later on other charges.
"Either they are coming across that border multiple times or they are being dumped on the streets of Arizona after they've been turned over," he said.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.