LEAVING ARIZONA 100+ ILLEGAL ALIENS/DAY

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

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

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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

A new Arizona state law to require employers to verify the immigration status of employees is being blamed – and credited – 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.

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 fiancée 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.

"Yes, we are desperate to leave the moment I sell my property," Adrian told the newspaper. He's a foreman for a building company. But he's worried. "There is a lot of uncertainty. I supervise five workers, and the boss told us they are going to be checking the documents of each worker."

Real estate listings surpassed 52,000, up 17 percent from a year ago, officials added.

Cspan was focusing on Pheonix, Az. this morning. There were 2 guests. Rep. Russel Pearce and and employer who vows to sue over law enforcement of employers who hire illegals. His name was Jason Le Vecke . They were both extremely head strong. But I know Russels son was shot by an illegals. Hes got a cause and Id be passionate about it too. Lets encourage  this representative from Azizona  who is trying to enforce an old law against employers who hire illegals. I sent him an email to tell him I appreciate his stand.

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Oh, and Russel pointed out it was not a new law, only enforcement of what was on the book with stronger penalties because people are so fed up. Mostly all of the callers echoed that feeling also.

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http://udallcenter.arizona.edu/staff/staff.html

This looks like a good contact site for Judith Gans. I sent her a message to let her know what I think. I do think if illegals leave and the laws are applied, legal citizens will flock to the state, because no one wants to live in a lawless community.

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bugsygirl - I caught just the tail end of CSpan - but was very impressed with Russels knowledge and passion.  The other guy just looked like a greedy man who would sell out his country for a dime.  When Russel said he used to make more in construction 30 years ago than what the men are being paid now - ole Jason had nothing to say. 

Also wanted to let you know your comments on "if illegals leave and the laws are applied, leagal citizens will flock to the state, because no one wants to live in a lawless community." is right on!

Every single Mayor or every single city in America needs to get this message loud and clear!

It's interesting they only pointed out that a study forecast that economic output would drop by $29 billion.  Think of how much money they will save over even just the next few years by getting rid of the illegal parasites.  And, they will surely be proven wrong when many people who are legally here apply for a lot of those jobs that "only illegals will do".  I would think that a lot of people are looking to relocate to states like AZ and OK now that they're taking care of the illegal problem.  I hope the laws do not get struck down.

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There is a good chance all of the illegals will be back in the USA or will just leave AZ and move to another state:

I just sent the following letter to:  Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein and Congressmen Waxman.  Please copy and send to all of your representatives.  It is a perfect time with Labor Day coming up!

Also in the category of "concern" asked by all of my representatives, I put it in Labor (not illegal immigration), in honor of Labor Day!

Dear Senator Boxer,

After reading this report from Forbes, I just knew if I sent you the details you would put together legislation to prohibit this from happening and in fact would write legislation to be put into law to penalize any country that tried to do this illegal action against our soverign nation. 

Please write to me and tell me I am correct - that you will be as "outraged" as I and take action.  Also please show your "outrage" over the lack of progress on the border fence by the Bush Administration.  I will wait to hear you on the "nightly news", supporting Americans and American soverignty and American jobs for Americans first.

LABOR DUMPING
The flood of foreign labor pouring into the United States, the European Union and other hospitable environs has brought political strains.  But there is little chance of stemming migrant inflows, as long as the countries supplying immigrants embrace policies that effectively mandate labor dumping, says Steve H. Hanke, a professor of applied economics at the Johns Hopkins University and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

Mexico is the world's largest labor dumper and the source of much of the contentious U.S. immigration reform debate.  The source of the problem is Mexico's statist economy, which can't produce enough jobs.  Rather than modernize the economy, Mexico's politicians sweep the country's surplus labor force into the United States:

Mexico's 47 consulates in the United States, more than any other country has, facilitate the sweeping by issuing passports and offering assistance when Mexican immigrants run into trouble.
Thus 30 percent of Mexico's labor force is working in the United States, and in 2006 they sent home $23 billion -- 12 percent of Mexico's exports.
Turkey has a similar story.  Burdensome laws and regulations put Turkey's labor market 146th on the ranking from Doing Business 2007.  Adding to the labor market's regulatory burdens is the tax system:

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development, in Paris, the tax wedge -- the difference between labor costs to the employer and an employee's take home pay -- is 42.8 percent for a family with two children and one working parent.
This is the largest wedge in the OECD, 15.3 percentage points higher than the OECD average.
Turkey has swept 5.5 percent of its labor force into western Europe.  Employment in the formal sector -- on the official labor rolls -- of the Turkish economy accounts for only 22 percent of total employment.

Source: Steve H. Hanke, "Labor Dumping," Forbes, September 2007.

Regards,

By Tim Gaynor

PHOENIX (Reuters) - When a heavy knock came on the door of her Phoenix home, Mari knew that the immigration police had finally caught up with her. Arrested and held for a month in a U.S. jail, she was sent back to Guatemala on a prison flight.

But four weeks later, after raising a $5,000 smuggling fee, she was back with her family in Arizona.

As U.S. authorities step up deportations of illegal immigrants, a growing number of them, like Mari, are simply turning round and heading back stateside to rejoin families and resume their lives.