Thread: Oklahoma immigration bill hitting retailers, employers

Associated Press - November 26, 2007 4:35 PM ET

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Maxine Grider knows all too well how much her grocery store in south Oklahoma City relies on the area's Latino community to stay in the black.

Since a state law that targets illegal immigrants went into effect almost one month ago, business at Grider's Discount Foods has been off between $50,000 and $75,000 a week.

Retailers and employers whose success depends on Latino business and workers have felt the pinch since Oklahoma's anti-illegal immigrant law went into effect. Some undocumented immigrants have left the state and others are reluctant to venture outside of their homes.

The Oklahoma State Home Builders Association says homebuilders have lost an estimated 10% of their work force.

Business groups say changes are needed in the law to counteract its negative economic consequences.

http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=7410464

Yee Haa! If you don't want to get bit then follow the Constitution.

The Oklahoma State Home Builders Association says homebuilders have lost an estimated 10% of their work force.

Are we supposed to feel sorry for them???? HIRE AMERICANS

Businesses are just going to have to go cold turkey and kick the habit.

You know, there are probably some businesses that cater to the illegals that just decided, 'heck they are here, I'm paying for it, so why don't I get something out of it'.

I understand that. The thing is, if you do that, don't get addicted to it

Grider's used to be probably the busiest grocery store in the OKC area, people would drive for miles to take advantage of their prices. The last 5-7 years has seen a total transformation to a Hispanic only store. I swear their parking lot on Saturdays is like a bazaar straight outta Mexico.

Originally Posted by BetsyRoss

The Oklahoma State Home Builders Association says homebuilders have lost an estimated 10% of their work force.

Sounds to me like they just admitted to committing quite a large number of felonies.

Business groups say changes are needed in the law to counteract its negative economic consequences

I certainly don't like the sound of this. Pro illegals will play up on this big time. Business's will be back as soon as legal citizens realize Oklahoma is a place where you don't have to compete with illegals.

The Oklahoma State Home Builders Association says homebuilders have lost an estimated 10% of their work force.

I still haven't seen much change here in OKC, convenience stores around the jobsites at lunchtime still have a line waiting to use the microwave to warm up whatever it is they brought from home for lunch.

I did have a builder tell me that his framer used to run three crews, one crew of Americans and two crews of Hispanics but now he is down to a single crew

I'm kinda wondering if some of this isn't 'news' for our benefit?

Don't care how much it hurt business as long as it does not hurt citizens who foot the bill for illegal immigration.