2018 promises to be the year of the final battle for immigrant rights in the United States.

After 12 months of constant attacks against the communities of color and immigrants in the country on the part of the Trump Administration, the controversial ex-sheriff of Maricopa County, Joe Arpaio, has decided to add his name to the race for the Senate in 2018.

Recognized for his aggressive methods in the persecution of undocumented immigrants, Joe Arpaio was finally forgiven by President Donald Trump, who recognized him for "more than 50 years of admirable service to our nation."

For the president, therefore, to persecute immigrants is an "admirable service". As if this were not enough, the presidential pardon freed Arpaio from any impediment to pursue a political career, which is why he has decided to run as a candidate to replace Senator Jeff Flake in Arizona, after he announced his retirement.

"I think Washington needs me, the president needs me," the ex-sheriff argued. "I’ve got a lot of experience, 60 years, I’ve dedicated my life serving our country. We'll see what happens," he told Talking Points Memo.

With 85 years and a path stained by hostility to immigrants, Arpaio made his name the synonym of the most macabre American nationalism. Brutal police tactics, racial profiling and his ignorance of the judicial orders, were just some of the reasons why he was convicted in early 2017, until President Trump decided to pardon him, in a gesture of gratitude for his loyalty.

"As a sheriff, I’ve done some controversial investigations," said Arpaio, who worked as a DEA agent during the time he coined the idea of a border wall to stop "the drugs that destroy our country."

The candidacy of Arpaio represents the political antagonism that will be the protagonist of the parliamentary elections on November 6, where not only will Arizona have to decide between a radical character and possibly the Democratic candidate Kyrsten Sinema, but the entire country will have to choose between allowing the Republican Party continue to do their thing or give another opportunity to a Democratic Party that still doesn’t address the communities that need it most.