A local civil rights group is calling on El Paso County Sheriff Leo Samaniego to resign.

The Border Network for Human Rights said it has collected about 2,000 petition signatures calling for the sheriff to resign for allegedly enforcing immigration laws illegally, through raids and traffic checkpoints.

One woman said instead of living up to the goal of protecting and serving the community, the sheriff's office is instilling fear and mistrust.

"What they're doing is creating a lot of fear in the community. The people are afraid to go to the store, to go to the school, even afraid to call them when they need them," Claudia Melendez, a San Elizario resident.

In response, Sheriff Samaniego released a statement to KFOX.

"I have dealt with this organization previously and it is my experience that they have a history of misrepresenting the facts. The truth is if you violate the law I have been empowered to enforce the law fairly and impartially," Samaniego said.