Thread: Illegal immigrants packing up and leaving Arizona

Illegal immigrants packing up and leaving Arizona

Illegal immigrants, facing new law cracking down on employers, are going home

Arizona's new employer-sanctions law takes effect January 1

Law an attempt to lessen the economic incentive for illegal immigrants

"I don't want to live here because of the new law and oppressive environment"

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Illegal immigrants in Arizona, frustrated with a flagging economy and tough new legislation cracking down on their employers, are returning to their home countries or trying their luck in other states.

For months, immigrants have taken a wait-and-see attitude toward the state's new employer-sanctions law, which takes effect January 1. The voter-approved legislation is an attempt to lessen the economic incentive for illegal immigrants in Arizona, the busiest crossing point along the U.S.-Mexico border.

And by all appearances, it's starting to work.

"People are calling me telling me about their friend, their cousin, their neighbors -- they're moving back to Mexico," said Magdalena Schwartz, an immigrant-rights activist and pastor at a Mesa church. "They don't want to live in fear, in terror."

Martin Herrera, a 40-year-old illegal immigrant and masonry worker who lives in Camp Verde, 70 miles north of Phoenix, said he is planning to return to Mexico as soon as he ties up loose ends after living here for four years.

"I don't want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment," he said. "I'll be better in my country."

He called the employer-sanctions law "absurd."

"Everybody here, legally or illegally, we are part of a motor that makes this country run," Herrera said. "Once we leave, the motor is going to start to slow down."

There's no way to know how many illegal immigrants are leaving Arizona, especially now with many returning home for normal holiday visits. But economists, immigration lawyers and people who work in the immigrant community agree it's happening.

State Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, the author of the employer sanctions law, said his intent was to drive illegal immigrants out of Arizona.

"I'm hoping they will self-deport," Pearce said. "They broke the law. They're criminals."

Under the employer sanctions law, businesses found to have knowingly hired illegal workers will be subject to sanctions from probation to a 10-day suspension of their business licenses. A second violation would bring permanent revocation of the license.

Nancy-Jo Merritt, an immigration lawyer who primarily represents employers, said her clients already have started to fire workers who can't prove they are in the country legally.

"Workers are being fired, of course," she said. "Nobody wants to find out later on that they've got somebody working for them who's not here legally."

When immigrants don't have jobs, they don't stick around, said Dawn McLaren, a research economist at Arizona State University who specializes in illegal immigration.

She said the flagging economy, particularly in the construction industry, also is contributing to an immigrant exodus.

"As the jobs dwindle and the environment becomes more unpleasant in more ways than one, you then decide what to do, and perhaps leaving looks like a good idea," she said. "And certainly that creates a problem, because as people leave, they take the jobs they created with them."

Pearce disagreed that the Arizona economy will suffer after illegal immigrants leave, saying there will be less crime, lower taxes, less congestion, smaller classroom sizes and shorter lines in emergency rooms.

"We have a free market. It'll adjust," he said. "Americans will be much better off."

He said he's not surprised illegal immigrants are leaving the state and predicts that more will go once the employer-sanctions law takes effect next month.

"It's attrition by enforcement," he said. "As you make this an unfriendly state for lawbreakers, I'm hoping they will pick up and leave."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/22/immigr ... index.html

"I don't want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment," he said. "I'll be better in my country."

I am smiling almost as big as Hillarys phony kackle smile.

Is AZ polluted with "help wanted" signs ?

Is the classified ads for "help wanted " larger ?

Have wages for entry level jobs climbed above $7.00/hr ?

Originally Posted by magyart

Is AZ polluted with "help wanted" signs ?

Is the classified ads for "help wanted " larger ?

Have wages for entry level jobs climbed above $7.00/hr ?

No...

No...

and HELL NO...

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Illegal immigrants in Arizona, frustrated with a flagging economy and tough new legislation cracking down on their employers, are returning to their home countries or trying their luck in other states.

I am glad they are leaving AR. but please dont come to Florida.. we are already in a recession and have way more Illegals than we can handle.

More are headed to Nevada and even to California despite lower wages. Phoenix used to be known for service jobs being filled by semi retired Americans coming in from other parts of the country.
We will see the retired moving there again now that thee is an opportunity for employment.

LOL... Airborne Sapper...

No they will head to California, the land of the Worminator (Schwarzenagger) who already has a 14 billion debt due to his no questions asked failed Immigration policies

But we can handle them the gang banger Villaraigosa said he can move out another million or so middle class white families out of LA county to make room for them and give them... housing, medical, school, food stamps... all on the backs of california taxes payers... and when that money runs out there alway money from the Feds

My only hope is we can get all 20-30 million illegal criminals into one state and fence it off...

We don't need any more illegals in California. LA has the largest population of latino's in the U.S. The news said LA is second only to Mexico City. I think it's funny when they predict the fall of the U.S. without illegal immigrants. They really believe they helped build this country and are keeping it going.

singing....."I'll be home for Christmas"...........

Fences make good neighbors.

Originally Posted by magyart

Is AZ polluted with "help wanted" signs ?

Is the classified ads for "help wanted " larger ?

Have wages for entry level jobs climbed above $7.00/hr ?

No different than usual...