Controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Arpaio & Trump's Support

In a statement from the Trump campaign, Arpaio is recognized as an individual with a hardline stance on immigration, and he traveled to Marshalltown, Iowa, for a rally on Tuesday to show support less than one week before the Iowa caucus.

"Donald Trump is a leader," said Arpaio in a statement. "He produces results and is ready to get tough in order to protect American jobs and families. I have fought on the front lines to prevent illegal immigration. I know Donald Trump will stand with me and countless Americans to secure our border. I am proud to support him as the best candidate for President of the United States of America."

Trump welcomed the Arizona sheriff's endorsement, stating he has great respect for Arpaio.

"We must restore law and order on the border and respect the men and women of our police forces," said Trump. "I thank him for his support of my policies and candidacy for President."

Condemnation in Iowa & Beyond

The police chief of Marshalltown, however, was not pleased with Arpaio's trip and endorsement for Trump.

"Marshalltown has been enriched by the arrival and contributions of immigrants to the community," said police chief Mike Tupper, in a statement via the National Immigration Forum Action Fund. "As a law enforcement agent, the mission of community policing becomes more difficult when immigrant communities feel threatened and victimized. Harmful rhetoric from candidates jeopardizes the relationship that we in law enforcement have worked so hard to develop and maintain. Hyperbole and exaggeration don't advance the conversation. Instead it sets us all back."

The endorsement also brought the attention from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Pablo Manriquez, Hispanic Media Director for the DNC, said the endorsement is another acceptance of dividing Americans, especially in a town such as Marshalltown.

"Today Donald Trump continued his efforts to divide Americans on his way to the GOP nomination by accepting the endorsement of infamous anti-immigrant Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Marshalltown, a city with one of the largest Latino populations in Iowa," said Manriquez. "Donald Trump claimed he's a uniter who will bring the country together, but demonizing immigrants and campaigning with divisive figures like Sherriff Joe Arpaio show he's anything but."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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