Az law chases illegals out. Doesn'y EVERY state need to do the same?

Now Arizona law chases illegals out
'I would say we are losing at least 100 people a day'

--------------------------------------...
Posted: August 29, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern



漏 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


A new Arizona state law to require employers to verify the immigration status of employees is being blamed 鈥?and credited 鈥?for chasing illegal aliens out of the state.

It's the second such development in just the last week: WND reported earlier how a new Oklahoma law requiring the deportation of arrested illegal aliens was prompting an exodus from that state.

The developments are the result of state actions already launched when a brokered plan in the U.S. Senate to create a path to legal residency for the millions of illegal aliens in the country collapsed.

The new report comes from the Arizona Republic, which said the state's strong economy has been a magnet for illegal aliens for years, but the law is looming on Jan. 1.

"I would say we are losing at least 100 people a day," Elias Bermudez, founder of Immigrants Without Borders and host of a daily talk-radio program aimed at undocumented immigrants, told the newspaper.

(Story continues below)


The report said it's impossible to count exactly how many illegal aliens have fled because of the new law, but interviews with immigrant advocates, community workers and real-estate agents confirm the number is significant.

"Some are moving to other states, where they think they will have an easier time getting jobs," the report said. "Others are returning to Mexico, selling their effects and putting their houses on the market."

The report said the number is expected to mushroom as the deadline approaches.

"This is exactly what it is supposed to do. (Illegal aliens) have no business being here, none," said state Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, an architect of the law to sanction employers. "Shut off the lights, and the crowd will go home. I hope they will all self-deport."

Companies found in violation of the ban on knowingly hiring unauthorized workers face a 10-day business license suspension on the first offense. A second offense could mean they would be ordered to shut down permanently.

But others say the state's economy will pay a price for the sanctions.

"If these workers leave, it's going to hurt the economy and put the state at an economic disadvantage with other states," Judith Gans, program manager for immigration policy at the University of Arizona, told the newspaper.

Said Ann Seiden, of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, "Nobody is going to be untouched by the ramifications of this law." Her organization is among a group that has gone to court to try to block the law.

The newspaper said a study released in July forecast economic output would drop annually by at least $29 billion, or 8.2 percent, if all non-citizens, which include illegal aliens, were removed from Arizona's workforce.

An estimated 14 percent of the 2.6 million workers in Arizona are foreign-born; about two-thirds of non-citizens are undocumented, officials said.

Officials say construction, manufacturing and agriculture in Arizona depend on immigrant labor, both legal and illegal, because the native-born population is aging and more highly educated.

Gans said frustration with illegal aliens "is understandable," but the state could hurt itself with its actions.

But Pearce said, "Whatever adjustment takes place in the market, it will be worth it."

State Sen. Robert Burns, R-Peoria, said the problem could be resolved with more ways for immigrants to enter the U.S. legally, but only the federal government can make those changes.

The state, he said, must act because people are "fed up with illegal immigration."

"I wouldn't wish hardship on anybody and I don't want the economy to go south, but maybe we need a jolt to show people what's going on," Burns said.

The newspaper reported Abel Ledezma, a telephone technician from Mexico's Chihuahua state, holds a work permit but his fianc茅e is undocumented, so Ledezma is selling his house.

"I feel like the people's attitudes towards not only immigrants but also Hispanics has become very rude," he told the newspaper.

Another illegal alien, identified only as Adrian by the newspaper, said he's undocumented and plans to return to Mexico as soon as he can sell a parcel of land he owns in Tonopah.

YAHOOOOO!!!!!!

I want to live in AZ now. My state (WA) still gives in-state college tuition and free neonatal care to illegals. Hopefully the people will vote out the idiot politicians who allowed that.

Their taxes, medical costs and all supply sided item costs will go way down. I would gladly pay a few cents more for a tomato.

Absolutely! It's the best way to be rid of them with no fuss or muss! I salute Az. and pray all states will follow suit! So sorry they feel unwelcome and that they are being treated rudely, you get what you give, don't you?

States many not interfere with Federal Law, until the lawsuits are resolved no they shouldn't. I live in Arizona and haven't noticed any difference. None. World Net Daily.. now that's a reliable source.. coughs.

Good site>> sure be nice if Florida had Senators that didn't vote for the amnesty bill were have no support from them>>?

move um on head up move um out Rawhide. Hya hya.

Sounds like Arizona's politicians has their heads out of the sand, unlike South Carolina.

Why the hell do all of you aplaud? I bet if it was a different race you wouldn't say anything. This law is going to be over as soon as it begins. You can't round everyone up and deport them. That money should be used for a real threat, such as homelessness. Think outside the box.

I wish they would implement this law in California! I'm not to thrilled that illegals can get free health care, low cost or free education, housing, food and MANY other things that MY tax dollars pay for. I am considered "low-income" and do not qualify for any government assistance because I have a job, have only one child and am a legal citizen. It's pretty sad that California will take care of everyone who ILLEGALLY comes into our state but won't even help those of us who were born here.

No, because AZ is receiving emergency funds from the federal govt to help their "disaster".

Not all states receive these federal funds, and frankly need the funds to process everyone.

Feel sorry for the state that gets on board last, what a problem they are going to have

Arizona's law is probably unconstitutional. Hazleton, PA tried to do something pretty similar, and it got struck down. But anyway, Arizona is just messing up their own economy by doing this. Companies will relocate to other states.

I'm all for it,like .45 said to bad Fla. can't follow AZ. We are over run with illegals and state govt. looks the other way.

no. just cause Az does that doesnt mean every state in the whole country is forced to do that. States have different laws, etc.