on what basis was sheriff arpaio and deputies detaining people that otherwise wontd be detained, other than the fact they thought they might be undocumented immigrants? great question. they were awful lawful stops, and the government admitted that. lawful stops, one case stopping a guy on suspicion of armed burglary. what happened is after they would clear the guy, they would learn he potentially was an illegal immigrant. somebody would be stopped, asked for license and registration, wouldn t have an american id, maybe have a mexican passport, only speaking spanish, the deputy would ask in spanish are you here legally and the guy would admit i am not here legally. the deputy would call i.c.e. or border pa treel, i have an illegal alien, border patrol every case said bring them here. that s what he was convicted of that s what his office is accused of doing. it is a common practice.