PHOENIX -- Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon used his State of the City address on Wednesday to criticize Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's crime suppression roundups that target illegal immigrants.

READ: Text Of Mayor Gordon's State Of The City Address

Gordon accused Arpaio of creating a sanctuary county for felons by ignoring 40,000 felony warrants on his desk.

"The Maricopa County Sherriff has 40,000 outstanding felony warrants sitting on his desk and rounding up those people should be and must be a priority," Gordon said.

He accused the sheriff of targeting "brown skin and cracked taillights instead of killers and drug dealers."

Gordon encouraged those in the room to speak out against the sheriff's actions.

"I invite you to join the chorus and let your voices be heard because this isn't the image that Phoenix or your businesses have earned or deserved," he said.

Although, Gordon warned they risk facing retribution from Arpaio if they do speak out.

"We only need to look toward the deputies who have been forced to resign, the publishers who have been jailed, or the Mesa, Phoenix and West Valley police chiefs, who, along with elected officials like Rick Romley and Terry Goddard, have been targeted by a selective political enforcement unit," he said.

Arpaio lashed out at Gordon after the address.

"I will not be deterred by his garbage," Arpaio said. "I'm not backing down."

The sheriff adamantly said he is not altering his stance.

"We will continue to enforce the laws when it comes to illegal immigration regardless of mayors, politicians or anyone else," Arpaio said.