Valley group to testify in D.C. on effects of Arpaio, SB1070

PHOENIX - A small group of Valley residents, including a 10-year-old girl, will testify in front of members of Congress on how anti-immigration moves have affected their lives.

According to a news release from Representative Raul Grijalva, the Thursday afternoon hearing will focus on how the group’s lives have been affected by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the potential effects of Arizona’s new immigration law, known as Senate Bill 1070.

“I am excited to go there, I’ve never been on a plane, never been to Washington, D.C., “ said 10-year-old Catherine Figueroa moments before leaving for the airport. “My parents were sent to jail for three months when Joe Arpaio raided a carwash, it was bad, they just want to be here to work.”

The hour-long hearing will include testimony from a Valley business owner and a recent Arizona State University graduate who will soon be attending Harvard to get her master’s degree.

“I grew up here, all of my schooling, and my parents have since left because they’re scared,” said Silvia Rodriguez, who plans to get her master’s degree in art education

When asked if he plans to monitor the hearing, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he has no plans to listen.

“I have more important things to do, I have illegals to lock up,” said Arpaio. “Why wouldn’t he (Rep. Grijalva) call me for my opinion rather than sneaking around and talking to people who don’t like how I’m enforcing the laws.”