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Jacques Billeaud

Protesters march against Arizona's illegal immigration law, SB1070, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in Phoenix. Supreme Court justices strongly suggested Wednesday that they are ready to allow Arizona to enforce part of a controversial state law requiring police officers to check the immigration status of people they think are in the country illegally. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Ariz. migrant case could lead to sweeping changes

Last updated Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 12:09pm

PHOENIX -- The United States could see an official about-face in the coming months in how it confronts illegal immigration if the Supreme Court follows through on its suggestion that it would let local police enforce the most controversial part of Arizona's immigration law.

Arizona, Immigration law, U.S. Supreme Court, National Read more Comments

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, left, and Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher conduct a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, in Phoenix. The two were announcing that the murder of Maricopa County Sheriff Deputy William Coleman on Jan. 8th and the murder of a New Hampshire couple in Sedona, Ariz. earlier in the week were likely committed by the same man using the same weapon. The suspect in both slayings is Drew Ryan Maras, who was killed by return fire by Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputies on Sunday when Deputy Coleman was killed while answering a burglary call. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Man who killed deputy, couple in Ariz believed world was coming to an end

Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, January 10, 2012 - 4:59pm

PHOENIX -- Investigators said Tuesday they believe the same man who fatally shot a New Hampshire couple near a scenic northern Arizona resort town also killed a sheriff's deputy several days later in Phoenix.

Ballistics experts confirmed that the rifle casings found at the scene near Sedona on Friday and in the parking lot of a Phoenix medical building on Sunday came from the assault rifle used by Drew Ryan Maras, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

Crime, Murder, National Read more Comments

Profiling lawsuit adds to Ariz. sheriff's troubles

Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 3:55pm

PHOENIX -- A judge heard arguments Thursday in a lawsuit that alleges racial profiling in Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration patrols, a week after federal authorities accused the sheriff's office of a wide range of civil rights violations.

The lawsuit was filed by a handful of Latinos who claim officers based some traffic stops on the race of Hispanics in vehicles, pulling them over without probable cause to inquire about their immigration status.

Illegal aliens, Joe Arpaio, Latinos, National Read more Comments

FILE - In a Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 file photo, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio discusses the latest in the document release on his office's handling of many sexual assault cases over the years in El Mirage, Ariz., during a news conference, in Phoenix. Federal authorities plan to announce their findings Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 in a civil rights investigation of Arpaio, who has been accused of using discriminatory tactics in its signature immigration patrols. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Feds issue scathing report against AZ sheriff

Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, December 16, 2011 - 6:24pm

PHOENIX -- Sheriff Joe Arpaio says a scathing U.S. Justice Department report about his office's law enforcement tactics marks what he calls "a sad day for America as a whole."

Arizona, Civil Rights, Illegal aliens, Immigration law, Joe Arpaio, Justice Department, Latinos, Immigration, National Read more Comments

(The Associated Press) In this Jan. 8, 2011 photo released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office shows shooting suspect Jared Loughner. A judge in Tucson hears arguments Wednesday Sept. 28, 2011 over whether Jared Lee Loughner should spend eight more months in psychological treatment in a bid to make him competent to stand trial. Loughner has been at a Missouri prison facility since U.S. District Judge Larry Burns found him mentally unfit four months ago.

Judge to mull an extension of Loughner’s treatment

Amanda Lee Myers, Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, September 28, 2011 - 8:39am

TUCSON, Ariz. — The man accused of wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a deadly shooting rampage is scheduled Wednesday to make his first court appearance since an angry outburst got him kicked out of a May competency hearing.

Crime, Arizona, Congresswoman, Congresswoman shot, Court, Gabrielle Giffords, Mental illness, Shooting, National Read more Comments

A dust storm moves to consume Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Ariz., Thursday August 18, 2011.(AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Pat Shannahan)

Another massive dust storm hits Phoenix, 3rd in 6 weeks

Jacques Billeaud, Terry Tang The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, August 19, 2011 - 3:46pm

PHOENIX -- A thick cloud of dust has swallowed Phoenix at sundown three times this summer, covering the city with grit and baffling even longtime residents who can't remember seeing so many dramatic "haboobs" during a monsoon season.

A 1,000-feet-high wall of dust traveled at least 50 miles into metro Phoenix and neighboring Pinal County on Thursday evening before dissipating.

Drought, Dust storm, Weather, National Read more Comments

Ariz. governor on deadline for immigration appeal

Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - 7:58am

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer faces a Wednesday deadline for asking the U.S. Supreme Court to accept her appeal of a ruling that put on hold key parts of the state's immigration enforcement law.

Arizona, Court, Federal Government, Republican, State government, Immigration, National Read more Comments

Suspect pleads not guilty in deadly Ariz. shooting

Jacques Billeaud, The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, January 24, 2011 - 3:26pm

The man accused of carrying out a mass shooting in Tucson pleaded not guilty Monday to charges he tried to kill Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and two of her aides.

The plea by Jared Lee Loughner marked his second court appearance since he allegedly shot the congresswoman and 18 others at Giffords’ meet-and-greet event on Jan. 8 outside a grocery store in Tucson. Six people died, including U.S. District Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl. Thirteen others were wounded.

Loughner, 22, faces federal charges of trying to assassinate Giffords and attempting to murder two of her aides. He will later face state charges dealing with other victims.

At least eight U.S. Marshals were present at the hearing in the Phoenix courthouse, where Loughner entered Monday afternoon smiling and wearing an orange prison suit and glasses.

Arizona, Congresswoman shot, Courts, Shooting Read more Comments

Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star/The Associated Press
This March 2010 photo shows a man identified as Jared L. Loughner at the 2010 Tucson Festival of Books in Tucson, Ariz. The Arizona Daily Star, a festival sponsor, confirmed from their records that the subject's address matches one under investigation by police after a shooting in Tucson that left U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wounded and at least five others dead. Police say a suspect is in custody, and he was identified by people familiar with the investigation as Jared Loughner, 22, of Tucson.

Suspect in Arizona shooting held without bail

Jacques Billeaud, Julie Watson, The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, January 10, 2011 - 4:20pm

PHOENIX — The nation got its first look on Monday at the 22-year-old loner accused of trying to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Jared Loughner, head shaved, a cut above the right temple and his hands cuffed, scanned a packed courtroom and sat down.

His attorney, who defended Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, whispered to him.

The judge asked Loughner if he understood that he could get life in prison — or the death penalty — for killing federal Judge John Roll, one of the six who died in the shooting rampage at Giffords’ meeting with constituents on Saturday in Tucson.

Crime, Congresswoman shot, Courts, Gabrielle Giffords, Shooting Read more Comments

(MATT YORK/The Associated Press)
Protesters march in Phoenix to rally against Arizona's new immigration law on Thursday.

Immigration showdown in Arizona: Protesters rally as sheriff begins new sweep and state files appeal

Amanda Lee Myers, Jacques Billeaud, The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 10:19pm

PHOENIX -- The showdown over Arizona's immigration law played out in court and on Phoenix's sun-splashed streets on Thursday, as the state sought to reinstate key parts of the measure and angry protesters chanted that they refused to "live in fear." Dozens were arrested.

National Government, Featured, Immigration Read more Comments

Judge hears arguments on Arizona immigration law

Jacques Billeaud, Paul Davenport, The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 11:32am

PHOENIX -- A federal judge will hear arguments Thursday from lawyers for the governor, the federal government and civil rights groups over whether Arizona's new immigration law should take effect in a week.

National Government, Immigration, National Read more Comments

Obama set to send 1,200 troops to US-Mexico border

Erica Werner, Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 4:55pm

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will send 1,200 National Guard troops to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, an administration official and an Arizona congresswoman said Tuesday, pre-empting Republican plans to try to force votes on such a deployment.

Politics, Military Read more Comments