Hispanics flee Arizona ahead of immigration law

[sinkingfeeling]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-08-immigration_N.htm

Arizona's tough new immigration enforcement law is fueling an exodus of Hispanics from the state seven weeks before it goes into effect, according to officials and residents in the state.
Though no one has precise figures, reports from school officials, businesses and individuals indicate worried Hispanics — both legal and illegal — are leaving the state in anticipation of the law, which will go into effect July 29.

Schools in Hispanic areas report unusual drops in enrollment. The Balsz Elementary School District is 75% Hispanic, and within a month of the law's passage, the parents of 70 students pulled them out of school, said District Superintendent Jeffrey Smith. The district lost seven students over the same one-month period last year, and parents tell Smith the Arizona law is the reason for leaving.

[LynneSin]

1. I can't blame them for leaving but I wish they would stay just to vote these assholes out

They have the numbers to do it.

Perhaps they can register at their new addresses after the 2010 election.

[lunatica]

2. They make it sound like Hispanics are fleeing in fear

Maybe they're leaving in disgust.

[The_Commonist]

3. This is what the white supremacists wanted.

They are getting their way...

[Echo In Light]

7. +1

[TlalocW]

10. Exactly, and I'm looking forward to it coming around and biting them on the ass

Studies have shown that as well as not being law-breakers (except of course for crossing illegally), illegal immigrants ultimately put much more into the system than what they take out. Moral/ethical issues aside, Arizona is going to lose those benefits as well as benefits from a large percentage of the taxpayers with "wrong" skin color they've decided to single out.

The "fleeing" Hispanics will be taking their taxes and spending power elsewhere. Boycotts are going to hit the state in a big way. Although I agree that border policy is broken, and I don't like illegal immigrants being taken advantage of by companies, there are benefits, which Arizona will lose. It's become almost cliche to say it, but it's true that illegal immigrants often do work that Americans won't do, or they do work for a much lower price (the aforementioned being taken advantage of). If the Arizona law is scaring off illegal immigrants, prices for products will either go up because companies will have to hire Americans to fill the positions, who will demand more money, or businesses will not be able to compete and close, driving up unemployment and losing more tax revenue.

The result of this will be Arizona becomes poorer as a state, will have less jobs, cost of living will increase, and crime will go up as well.

With tax revenue taking a dip, there won't be as much money for police departments, who will already be feeling pressure as they'll be legally required to investigate "suspicious people," taking time away from investigating/preventing other crimes as well as not receiving any help from the remaining Hispanic community who will be afraid to talk to the cops.

But, hey, it will be worth it to keep those brown-skinned people from voting democratic (the real reason behind the law) as well as whitening up the state (another benefit for the supporters).

TlalocW

[Maraya1969]

15. I hope most of them start buying online instead of from the community

that doesn't want them but is happy with their money.

I buy online all the time now and I get better prices because I can easily check the competitions price and it is easier and wastes less gas.

[blondeatlast]

16. Exactly. (This comes from a lifelong arizonan who has seen all too

many hate crimes (er, bills and propositions) pass to keep the considerable numbers of Hispanics from voting.

[pinboy3niner]

17. As SoS, Brewer purged more than 100,000 (mostly-Hispanic) voters

There's a great story about this by Greg Palast:

Behind the Arizona Immigration Law:
GOP Game to Swipe the November Election
http://www.gregpalast.com/behind-the-arizona-immigration-lawgop-game-to-swipe-the-november-election/

(I know you're very familiar with all of this--this is for the benefit of those who haven't had a chance to read it yet.)

:hi:

[blondeatlast]

18. Actually, I had forgotten about that. Thanks.

When I get some serious time, I'd like to compile a list of the systematic ways Arizona has tried to disenfranchise Hispanic voters--but that's actually a pretty heavy research project, now that I think about it!

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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[pinboy3niner]

4. That's the stated intent of the law: "attrition through enforcement"

Here's what the law says:

Section 1. Intent

The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.

http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070h.htm

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Great, but there are lots of 'legals' leaving as well. If I still lived in Tucson, I'd pack it up

and I'm lily white.

[pinboy3niner]

6. That's right--claims that only "illegals" are affected are total BS

These reports on the exodus beginning are describing entire families that are leaving out of fear for one undoc'd member. Kids who are U.S. citizens are being pulled out of their schools.

Some will leave, but others will choose to stay--and other reports say there's a sudden upsurge in voter registration by eligible Hispanics. That will take time to build, but the same thing happened in CA after prop 187--and helped turn CA blue.

[lpbk2713]

8. Attention Arizona:

Be careful what you wish for.

It's about to happen.

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. +1. And let's hope they won't come crying to the Fed for any budget

shortfalls they might incur as a result. I don't blame the Hispanics.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. I see a repeat of Prince William County. AZ might rejoice in the short term,

but when there's no one to sell your goods to, no one to rent your rental properties, no one to eat in your restaurants, it can have a devastating effect on your economy. They might just get more than they bargained for, to which I say, GOOD...

[pinboy3niner]

12. It began as soon as the law was passed:

Many look to employer sanctions' effect on business to predict effects of SB 1070
by Max Jarman and Eugene Scott - Jun. 1, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
.

The exodus of illegal and legal immigrants predicted by some as a result of Arizona's tough new immigration law is expected to hurt a variety of businesses that directly and indirectly cater to immigrant populations.
<snip>

Owner Nick Solomon said business at shops he owns in northeast Phoenix's Palomino neighborhood, such as a laundry and grocery, decreased by 50 percent in the days after the passage of SB 1070.

An official at the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said it only made sense that the state's small businesses would be affected by the state's new immigration law because many of their customers may no longer be in the state.

"When they leave, the local businesses that may have been catering to them . . . those people have to take a hit. The aisles are just not as crowded, it's a real impact but it's also an impact that has been steadily building," said James Garcia, spokesman for the organization.


Read More:
http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/05/31/20100531arizona-immigration-law-immigrants-leaving.html

[Yavin4]

13. And Small Businesses Will Start Closing

The pool of low cost labor will drop like a stone and prices will rise.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

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[Bill McBlueState]

14. maybe Arizona won't get a new seat in the House

if they lose enough population. That'd be funny.

[4lbs]

21. I'd like it if the Zonies that leave AZ in the summer and take up temp residence in Southern Cal

would kindly stay away from my state.

I welcome those Latino refugees though.

[blondeatlast]

22. On second thought, not going to indulge in state hate. nt

[4lbs]

25. The ones that relocate temporarily to Southern Cal are usually the rich white ones that supported

this discriminatory law. Those are the ones I don't want here.

The poorer ones, and the minorities in AZ, usually can't afford to leave AZ in the hot summer.

[blondeatlast]

27. I know, but as an occasional vistor to SD in the summer, I get pissed at the spite. If you couldn't

see my plates, you wouldn't know where I come from, believe me.

And it was an influx of (among several states) Californians that caused our more nutjobby politicos to become empowered.

[xchrom]

23. that's sad. nt

[Imajika]

24. So basically it's working...

This is precisely why the law was created and passed.

Reducing the numbers of illegals through attrition via the fear of law enforcement.

Hate to say it, but if there really is an "exodus of Hispanics from the state" then the right wing have won completely here. Neighboring states will start considering the same thing.

[HughMoran]

26. Exactly why individual states shouldn't be passing immigration laws

Never mind the asininity of this law.