CHAPARRAL, N.M. -- Operation Stonegarden aims to give local authorities greater power when it comes to enforcing immigration. But New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman doesn't think it should be that way.

"The main job of dealing with illegal immigration needs to be conducted in my view by federal officials," Bingaman said.

Bingaman made a stop in Chapparal, N.M., Thursday -- a town still reeling after dozens of undocumented immigrants were detained by sheriff's deputies and turned over to the Border Patrol. As KFOX reported, the sweep was part of Operation Stonegarden, a federally funded program that gives local law enforcement the power to check a person's immigration status. But the only legislation Bingaman thinks is appropriate when it comes to illegal immigration is better funding for federal agencies.

"I think local law enforcement, particularly along the border here, has a lot of other problems to deal with -- drug problems, violence problems," Bingaman said.

But not all Chaparral residents agree, pointing out the person turned over must first be a lawbreaker.

"Terrorists and all that, drugs, right now that's going on with Juarez. There's a lot of danger, and you don't want that to come over here," Chaparral resident Carlos Velasco said.

But others condemn the operation, alleging sheriff's deputies have been targeting neighborhoods with immigrant families.

"I don't think it's fair that sheriffs go and knock on doors, especially when they have family with kids in there and have lived here for many years. They get separated," Chaparral resident Elsa Sawyer said.