"Illegal immigrants packing up and leaving Arizona."

[Guest Verbal Kint]

With the recent conversations/debates about illegals in the US, I thought some of you might find this interesting.

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Story Link : http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/22/immigrants.leave.ap/index.html

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Illegal immigrants packing up and leaving Arizona

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."

[strickj]

they should put killer hippos on the border

[Guest canynracer]

This is something that I am on board with...hold the employers accountable, problem works itself out.

[Im Neero]

they should put killer hippos on the border

:rofl: This hippo thing is cracking me up!

On topic, I've always liked Arizona.

[Guest SUNTZU]

Feliz Navidad!

[Guest dotsun]

Good job Mr. Pearce.

[Mike.357]

My son and his wife moved to AZ back in the spring. They seem to like it there(Chandler). He had never mentioned a problem with immigrants or any problems with people at all. Very unlike their opinion of East Tn.

I like the idea that the gov't is forcing business owners to comply with laws, Sounds like it might be a nice place to live. If we ever relocate again I am sure AZ would be high on the list if for no other reason than to be nearer my son and his family.

[Guest BG38357]

My birth-state of Kalifornia is now part of Mexico. The problem is now nationwide.

This is a federal problem with the burden put on state and local govt.

Like gun issues, the candidates running for the opening @ the Whitehouse don't seem too interested in any resolution.

See ImmigrationCounters.com for estimate of number of illegal immigrants in this country and their cost to the United States of America.

[saintsfanbrian]

The candidates don't want to touch this topic because it is such a hot bed. Wait until one gets elected and see what their stance is.

Then again, I am in favor of holding the employers accountable. After all, it is because of them that the problem is where it is.

Anyway. Leave if you want to. My problem is with the fact that many are returning home for the holidays and will then come back. How can they move that freely?

[Guest canynracer]

Anyway. Leave if you want to. My problem is with the fact that many are returning home for the holidays and will then come back. How can they move that freely?

LMFAO...maybe the Coyote takes mastercard?

[strickj]

LMFAO...maybe the Coyote takes mastercard?

priceless

they call immigration and get deported and get feed on the way home for free,then cross back across the border...using there mastercard

[cadillacdude1975]

too bad those laws arent 50 state wide. there are a ton of these illegals here in chattanooga due to the fact we have a con-agra chicken processing plant here in town. they are freaking everywhere.

[Mike.357]

yeah, how do they do that back and forth stuff. Seems it would be an sweful big risk to go back to the motherland and then risk getting caught coming back through the wire. It must be very easy to do.

[strickj]

theres also one in dalton.

i sometimes wonder if the smell from that place is from the chickens or the illegals? sorrry had to

[Guest Len]

Tennessee has a similar law that goes live Jan 1, 2008.

Here's the poop: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071223/NEWS01/712230386/1001

[Mark@Sea]

Well, I get something for Christmas after all.

Thanks, Len

[Guest canynracer]

yeah, how do they do that back and forth stuff. Seems it would be an sweful big risk to go back to the motherland and then risk getting caught coming back through the wire. It must be very easy to do.

it is actually incredibly easy...they cross through different states...and the entire border is not patrolled...some parts just have cameras...

[Guest canynracer]

this is funny, but it was really part of the border...

[ame]

[/ame]

[Guest SUNTZU]

LMAO!!! :lol:

[Im Neero]

too bad those laws arent 50 state wide.

I think 48 state wide is enough. If anybody wants to swim to Hawaii, or hike to Alaska, I say leave them alone, they earned it!

[Guest Len]

lol..

I agree.

But in all seriousness, this is clearly a Federal issue and Congress and the Executive Branch have dropped the ball big time. State legislatures should not even have to think about this stuff, but since Congress wont act, they have to. This is a bi-partisan failure as well. And few presidential candidates (virtually none who have a chance at actually getting elected) even talk about this issue. I'm fed up with the poisonous political atmosphere that ensures nothing actually useful gets done in DC. I say throw them all out and start fresh.

/end of rant. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

I think 48 state wide is enough. If anybody wants to swim to Hawaii, or hike to Alaska, I say leave them alone, they earned it!

[strickj]

member the mexican walk out?how in the hell can illiagls that dont have pappers go on strike,and protest our laws?ill say one thing,those little f****rs got some jingle bells.we couldnt go to any other country and do that!

now back to your regularly scheduled program.

[Guest Boomhower]

I'm fed up with the poisonous political atmosphere that ensures nothing actually useful gets done in DC. I say throw them all out and start fresh.

[Marswolf]

I say throw them all out and start fresh.

/end of rant. Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Hey Len, isn't your support of the dems part of the problem rather than the solution?

Yes, I know the Repubs are a major problem, but honestly , less so than the Dems. Honestly......

[Guest canynracer]