Some fear Arizona law will send illegal migrants packing

Published: Sep 12, 2007
Author: AP
Post Date: 2007-09-12 11:43:32 by midwest minuteman

PHOENIX — A tough new employer sanctions law in Arizona has many illegal immigrants contemplating something they once thought was unthinkable - returning to their home countries, activists say.

The law goes into effect in January and requires employers to verify the eligibility of workers through a federal database. They would face having their business licenses revoked after a second offense.

Since it was signed into law in July, illegal immigrants have been wondering how they will be affected. They're asking Mexican Consulates to explain the law, calling Spanish-language radio stations for advice and keeping an eye on community newspapers.

Those who are considering going home say they're waiting until January to see whether their bosses will start asking them for papers.

"If I lose my job, we'll go back to Mexico," said 30-year-old Elias Velasquez, an illegal immigrant who came to Arizona from Puebla with his family a year ago.

Velasquez, who works at a Phoenix grocery store, said he hasn't yet been asked to prove that he's in the country legally.

He said he wants to stay in Arizona to better support his wife, a 4-year-old son and a daughter on the way who, if she is born in the states, would be a U.S. citizen.

"I came here to get a job, to work," he said. "I'm afraid to go back. There's no money in Mexico."

Alfredo Gutierrez, a leader in the Hispanic community who also hosts a radio program in Spanish about immigration issues, said the seeds of panic have been sown among illegal immigrants.

"There's a lot of fear that they have to prepare for the worst," he said.

"The concern is extreme. I don't have any doubts that for people who are thinking about leaving, this may be the last straw."

Gutierrez referred to a recent spate of anti-illegal immigrant legislation in the state and an overall hostile atmosphere in Arizona. The state is the busiest illegal entry point along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the Pew Hispanic Center has estimated that illegal immigrants account for one in 10 workers in Arizona.

Activists plugged into the immigrant community say they haven't yet heard of anyone leaving Arizona because of the employer sanctions law but that it's certainly possible. And as January nears, they say it becomes more likely.

Arizona isn't the only place in the country where illegal immigrants are scared about crackdowns. In Panama City Beach, Fla., some illegal immigrants have been leaving since sheriff's deputies there started pulling up to constructions sites in force to see who would run.

The Sheriff's Department says it has conducted dozens of such raids and reported more than 500 people to immigration officials since November.

Graciela Sandt said:

Published: Sep 12, 2007
Author: AP
Post Date: 2007-09-12 11:43:32 by midwest minuteman

PHOENIX — A tough new employer sanctions law in Arizona has many illegal immigrants contemplating something they once thought was unthinkable - returning to their home countries, activists say.

The law goes into effect in January and requires employers to verify the eligibility of workers through a federal database. They would face having their business licenses revoked after a second offense.

Since it was signed into law in July, illegal immigrants have been wondering how they will be affected. They're asking Mexican Consulates to explain the law, calling Spanish-language radio stations for advice and keeping an eye on community newspapers.

Those who are considering going home say they're waiting until January to see whether their bosses will start asking them for papers.

"If I lose my job, we'll go back to Mexico," said 30-year-old Elias Velasquez, an illegal immigrant who came to Arizona from Puebla with his family a year ago.

Velasquez, who works at a Phoenix grocery store, said he hasn't yet been asked to prove that he's in the country legally.

He said he wants to stay in Arizona to better support his wife, a 4-year-old son and a daughter on the way who, if she is born in the states, would be a U.S. citizen.

"I came here to get a job, to work," he said. "I'm afraid to go back. There's no money in Mexico."

Alfredo Gutierrez, a leader in the Hispanic community who also hosts a radio program in Spanish about immigration issues, said the seeds of panic have been sown among illegal immigrants.

"There's a lot of fear that they have to prepare for the worst," he said.

"The concern is extreme. I don't have any doubts that for people who are thinking about leaving, this may be the last straw."

Gutierrez referred to a recent spate of anti-illegal immigrant legislation in the state and an overall hostile atmosphere in Arizona. The state is the busiest illegal entry point along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the Pew Hispanic Center has estimated that illegal immigrants account for one in 10 workers in Arizona.

Activists plugged into the immigrant community say they haven't yet heard of anyone leaving Arizona because of the employer sanctions law but that it's certainly possible. And as January nears, they say it becomes more likely.

Arizona isn't the only place in the country where illegal immigrants are scared about crackdowns. In Panama City Beach, Fla., some illegal immigrants have been leaving since sheriff's deputies there started pulling up to constructions sites in force to see who would run.

The Sheriff's Department says it has conducted dozens of such raids and reported more than 500 people to immigration officials since November.

Great Law!   Oklahoma's law goes into effect in Nov 07 with same wording.  Very strong anti-illegal provisions.   We are making progress. 

WEll, Texas' traitor governor cut the deal with Spain for the building of this planned "Superhighway" and has no intention of properly dealing with illegals. Hell, he's a damned crook himself.

   I would hope he enjoys the Superhighway of Blood he is going to create. The man has no idea nor does he care about illegals overrunning Texas. I wouldn't vote him for dogcatcher.  He is a disgrace who everybody thinks looks "pretty". Wonder if HE gets blow jobs too on government time?

   Sure, illegals should be investigated, and deported. We should have the guts to demand and get laws like Oklahoma and Arizona that are tough on criminals. But NOooooooooooo, Gov. Goodhair loves criminals, and speaks with forked tongue.  Some Texans are so naieve as to believe any of the lies he says, and even I suppose support the proposed bloody highway.

   Hmm, wonder when the next election will be held? Who would even THINK of this jerk as a V.P.?? Some people just never look for the truth. It's very obvious. But then, some don't care about much of anything it seems.  Those who don't demand an uprising about this immigration problem deserve the beating they get.  I hope they enjoy seeing their daughters raped, and all the trash and violence that aliens bring in. There are limits to anything, but it seems to take a huge disaster of smoke and fire to make anybody take notice.  Do people just not CARE about the LAW anymore?

Well said, Goliadman!

I never thought of the Perry as Ghouliani's VP angle...You're probably right--except that he's hated in his own state and wouldn't nec. carry the state for Ghouliani.

My issue is with Ron Paul staying in the GOP. Will the Dreadnaught Ghouliani "steamrolling" to the nomination, isn't Paul wasting his time in the GOP? The CP is holding out a spot for him...And furthermore, isn't The CP a bit behind the times by waiting til APRIL to select a nominee? If the GOP already has "selected" theirs? I know, Paul wants the publicity of the debates with other GOP rivals, but at some point, he has to fish or cut bait.

Well, I agree, I don't think, and have said this before, that Paul has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Republican nomination. It is a party without much hope in all their divisiveness. Nobody is making a strong showing, and right now, Ghouliani ( I LOVE that term,,hehe), seems to have a strong chance of being their nominee. Fred must be thinking more about another TV series rather than the Presidential nomination with his "no-show" tendencies at debates, and thus far he is not getting much good press at all, nor showing anything more than the status quo, which will definitely get him defeated.

    While an Independent category or whatever might swing a lot of votes to Paul, the effect would just assure Hitlary of the Presidency. I think the dumbing down of America, and so many who favor a more socialist trend, with millions who have been laid off, and lost benefits, will give us a lot of voters at the polls this time solely for gettin rid of Republicans.  The GOP has shot itself in the foot too many times, and people are sick of them. Divided we fall, as they say. And divisions are all we can seem to muster in this sorry state of affairs.

    I must say, I have never seen the State of the Union in such a state of disaster. That will be the death knell for most incumbents, and lackluster personnas currently making no real positive impressions. The final blow will likely be due to the huge million the Clintons have amassed plus all the huge minoritiy votes of people who are rapidly becoming "majorities" now. They have taken Texas, and most of the southwest.

    Hmmm, I wonder if the flag of Mexico will be flying over the White House next?  Better learn Spanish, and the appreciation of bull fighting. Oh yes, while they're at the big changes at the White House, the appease and please  Congress who favors illegals may want to burn our flag too since they lack the guts to control the border.  Hell, they are used to breaking laws without batting an eye too.

    Oh yes, I almost forgot,,be sure and run out to buy Vicente Fox's big new book push as he profits even more from screwing those who will buy it. Why won't they buy his book in Mexico? ( Oh, yeah, I keep forgetting, he and Caulderon are sending all the Mexicans to the good ole U.S.A. )

    I'm sure the Democrats are lining up to tax us even more to pay for their new-found Social Security checks. After all, we are ALL RICH aren't we?

Mexicans returning to Mexico? The same for all South American countries. Does anyone else know that the biggest source of income for Mexico, besides oil, is the money sent home by illegal aliens, in excess of $3 billion per year? Didn't think so. Oops, sorry. I guess the current politically correct term now is -- undocumented worker.

Any way you slice it, they are here illegally, consuming our resources and taking our jobs. The argument that they do jobs Americans won't is a load of pasture pastry. The farmers and ranchers are too money-hungry to spend their money on machinery that will do the exact job, they just cost more than an alien and can't be fired, aliens can. I call them aliens because that is exactly what they are, and illegal at that.

G.W. Bush keeps watering down any crackdown because it would hurt his buddys back in Texas, the biggest employer of illegal aliens in the country.