Legal immigrant from Mexico seeks recall of Phoenix mayor

Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix, Arizona is facing a recall effort lead by a woman who was born in Mexico, came to the U.S. legally and became a citizen. Anna Gaines says illegal aliens are committing crimes in Phoenix, and the mayor is not doing enough to fix the problem.

The group headed by Gaines, a retired teacher, wants tougher immigration enforcement.

The mayor, of course, describes the group as “extremists.” He went on the offensive this spring in criticizing Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration and crime sweeps in two predominantly Hispanic areas of Phoenix. Gordon has asked for a federal investigation of Arpaio for possible civil rights violations.

Gordon was criticized last year for not changing a longstanding policy that ordered police officers to hold off on asking questions about people's citizenship, except for people suspected of committing a serious felony.The policy has since been changed to let officers ask all criminal suspects about their immigration status.

Gaines says the change in the police department policy was made because advocates like her pushed for it.