Phoenix mayor asks FBI to probe sheriff's immigration sweeps

PHOENIX - The mayor of Phoenix wants the FBI to look into whether the local county sheriff has violated civil rights laws with his recent crackdowns on illegal immigrants.

Mayor Phil Gordon sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey earlier this month. It asks the Justice Department to investigate what Gordon calls discriminatory harassment and improper stops, searches and arrests.

Maricopa County's ``saturation patrols'' have drawn protests from civil rights and immigrant rights advocates. But they've gained the support of people backing the county sheriff, Joe Arpaio, and those who don't think the government has done enough against illegal immigration.

The sheriff says it's ironic that the mayor wrote the letter on the same day that U.S. immigration agents approved of the sheriff department's work.

The Justice Department says it will review the mayor's letter.