Arizona Child Support Enforcement

A 'maddening' system, from courtrooms to shelters

Tucson, Ariz. -- Each day at the Evo A. DeConcini U.S. Courthouse here, 70 undocumented migrants are seated in orderly rows, hushed like a quiet congregation in long pews in the low light of a modern courtroom.

On this day Judge Bernardo P. Velasco took little more than a half hour to call rank after rank of migrants to a line of microphones in front of the bench. The script was simple -- questions delivered through an interpreter established that the defendants are citizens of other countries, mostly Mexico with a few from Guatemala, and that they knew they could have an individual trial, subpoena and cross-examine witnesses and refuse to testify.

The choreography was precise and efficient. From the benches to the microphones to an exit the defendants shuffled, handcuffed and shackled, attorneys in tow. They disappeared, most of them to be processed, sent to prison for periods ranging from the few days already served to 185 days and then returned to their country of origin. Such is the dance of Operation Streamline, one component of the federal government’s attempt to clamp down on illegal immigration. The intent of the program, which began in Texas in 2005 and in Tucson in 2008, is to add quick consequences for those illegally crossing the border from Mexico to the United States.

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On April 20, it was 70 cases in 32 minutes, to be precise. That was how Velasco clocked it. He doesn’t stand on judicial formalities, on or off the bench. He’s blunt in his speech and all disheveled, his tie open and his collar button undone. He draws often on a white nicotine inhaler that looks like the plastic mouthpiece of a cheap cigar. He thinks the laws he just helped enforce are something of an insane exercise. “We keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result,” he told a group of students who had been watching the proceedings from the back of the courtroom. His cases finished, Velasco paid an unexpected visit to the group from St. Mary’s College of California, a school run by the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Moraga. The students were spending the week in an immersion program to learn more about immigration and border issues.

They had already toured a Department of Homeland Security detention facility where migrants are held, had discussions with members of the Border Patrol in Nogales, Ariz., and visited the Santuario de Guadalupe, where migrants receive food and aid in Nogales on the Mexico side of the border.

Child Support Enforcement. Information/Advise/Resources are ...

I have a court order for child support and my ex husband refuses to pay. I also have an order to garnish his wages, however, he gets jobs such as waiting tables or bartending so that he works primarily for tips. What small amount I could garnish I never end up getting, because as soon as I figure out where he works and file the paperwork, he changes employers. He does have regular visitation, per his request about 5 hours a week, which he is fairly consistant with, so he is not completely absent from the picture. I have a case worker through the states(arizona) child support enforcment department, which doesn’t seem to really be making a difference and I definately can’t afford to retain a family law attorney. He’s now expecting his second child with another woman, this makes me livid becasue he doesn’t support the one he already has. Does anyone have any suggestions that may be of assistance in helping me collect the court ordered child support and over $ 20,000 he owes in arears?

Best answer:

Answer by MLaw Time June 20, 2011 at 7:21 pm

Lots of people who owe support get jobs such as waiting tables because they can’t be garnished due to income restrictions. If he files a tax return you should receive most of what he would get back. I know where I live there are laws in place that if you owe over a certain amount they will revoke your drivers license and you could face jail time. I would see what the laws are in Arizona. If he can’t live up to the garnishment does he at least give you money once in a while? Also when he takes the kids is he providing them with things they need? All things to take into consideration. I think child support garnishments should only be enforced if the parent is absent and doesn’t care, other then that hand him a bill or two and tell him to be a man.

Sounds rough! I only get $ 25 month from my ex. In some states he could lose his license. It would be sad to use your child as a bargaining tool. She needs her dad. I wish you could make a private arrangement with him. You can always take advantage of the one time consult with a lawyer and maybe get advice. O, and how about telling the lawyer that she can have the $ 20k if she wins. At least you’ll have a monthly check. He’ll probably get more financially stable when the new baby comes.

Family law

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Introduction to Family Law

Strengthening the Circle, Child Support for Native American Children

Arizona revised statutes, annotated, Prepared under legislative authority, Laws 1956