PHOENIX (AP) -- Protesters made sure their voices were heard when they tried to pressure the Maricopa Board of Supervisors to monitor more closely Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's enforcement of immigration laws.

The raucous show by Arpaio's critics came Thursday when the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the county's $2.4 billion budget, which included funding for the sheriff's office.

The three-hour meeting was interrupted with bursts of applause and name-calling. At one point, Supervisor Andrew Kunasek stood and banged his gavel as protective services officers moved toward an Arpaio critic who talked past the three-minute time limit.

Dozens responded by walking out, screaming, "Your sheriff is a disgrace to the nation."

Arpaio vowed he will continue to enforce all laws despite the criticism. He blamed the protest and ongoing political controversies over his immigration sweeps and on a conspiracy among Democrats Gov. Janet Napolitano, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox.

"I'm the sheriff and I decide on the policies of this office and I'll continue to do so," said Arpaio.

The supervisors must approve the sheriff's budget, but they cannot tell him how to spend it because he is elected.

The sheriff's office took a 5.3 percent cut, about $4.1 million, to its general budget, which primarily pays for law-enforcement patrol. About 3 percent, or $4.8 million, was cut from its detention fund, which helps pay for jail operations.

Several protesters said they were concerned with the treatment of illegal immigrants by Arpaio's office and said his policies have created a climate of fear that makes immigrants too scared to call police for help or report crimes.

Others took issue with the number of lawsuits Arpaio's office has been involved in over the years and challenged the supervisors to make Arpaio report to the board each month to account for his spending. It already is monitored closely, along with spending in all other departments.

"While county boards across the state of Arizona govern and maintain their budgets quietly and with dignity, they set the tone for how every person within the boundaries of their county are treated," said Rev. Liana Rowe of Interfaith Worker Justice of Arizona. "They are not allowing their sheriff or their county attorney or anyone else whose budget they control to dictate how people are to be treated within their boundaries."

The group walked out shortly after, shouting at the Supervisors and gathering outside with megaphones and signs.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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