Hispanic Immigrants Continue To Flee Arizona Ahead Of Crackdown

Arizona's strict new illegal immigration law, SB 1070, is set to begin enforcement this Thursday, leaving many Hispanic immigrants, both legal and illegal, less than a week to decide their course of action.

Hispanic immigrants with U.S. citizenship must choose whether to leave the state, or stay in Arizona and risk suffering what many have seen as a likelihood for racial discrimination that will take place when law enforcement officials begin the mandated practice of investigating the immigration statuses of suspected undocumented individuals during lawful stops.

The choice is a much more consequential one for illegal immigrants in Arizona. If they decide to remain in the state after Thursday, they will be living under the nation's harshest measures against illegal immigration.

According to Reuters' report:

In a sign of a gathering exodus, Mexican businesses from grocers and butcher shops to diners and beauty salons have shut their doors in recent weeks as their owners and clients leave.

On Saturday and Sunday, Reuters counted dozens of impromptu yard sales in Latino neighbourhoods in central and west Phoenix.

While the legal battle rages on, with several lawsuits currently mounted, including one from the United States Justice Department, activists plan more protests to oppose the impending enforcement of the law.

According to CNN:

The protesters include immigrant students, religious leaders, day laborers and members of several unions including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, the Teamsters and the Utility Workers of America Union.

But not all Arizonans of Hispanic ancestry will be joining in opposition of Arizona's controversial immigration law.

Last week, the Arizona Latino Republican Association came out against the Justice Department's lawsuit against SB 1070, becoming the first Hispanic group to provide legal support for the new immigration policy.

Jesse Hernandez, a member of the Arizona Republican Latino Association, explained the law's opponents as misinformed fear-mongers.

"They throw out this verbiage, racist, discrimination, Nazis -- they're just trying to drum up fear among the public," Hernandez told CNN. "We live in a society that doesn't read anymore, that is spoon-fed by TV. That's why I'm challenging them to pick up the law and read it and not believe the rhetoric that is coming out from the left."

Comments

[escobar]

05:02 PM on 08/01/2010

Anyone who even has a tan and black hair had better get out, or dye it blonde, and
change their name.
The prision system there is For Profit...the taxpayer foots the bill but it is
in the interest of all involved to jail as many as they can.

[Chazmania]

08:34 PM on 07/28/2010

Arizona recently abandoned the speed trap cameras they spent lots of money sticking all over the highways...the system cost too much and had public outcry to the point of shutting it down..
the "deal" the politicians made to make money off it fell apart on them...Los Angele's bought all the cameras from AZ by the way....

[Chazmania]

08:22 PM on 07/28/2010

If you google map the word he|| you come up in the Arizona desert...

[Ana4]

04:56 PM on 07/28/2010

Nothing, but nothing justifies f@scistic behavior in this country. period.

[The last sane American]

04:07 PM on 07/28/2010

Why are these inaccuracies still touted by the MSM?

"Hispanic immigrants with U.S. citizenship must choose whether to leave the state, or stay in Arizona and risk suffering what many have seen as a likelihood for racial discrimination that will take place when law enforcement officials begin the mandated practice of investigating the immigration statuses of suspected undocumented individuals during lawful stops."

Is it because like the President and the AG they did not bother to read the law>

Any Mexican here legally or those who have become American citizens are being stampeded by the same crowd that irresponsibly calls anyone who does not agree with their policy a racist

You Democrat sling a lot of mud.

[Chazmania]

08:29 PM on 07/28/2010

its the loose interpretation of the law that is open to the debate.. the room for abuse that is in it is the issue..it allows racial profiling to be used by police officers that have a racial slant..That is the actual issue YOU ignore.
Oh and many inmates in an insane asylum also claim sanity!

[The last sane American]

07:59 AM on 07/29/2010

Flat wrong. The law states that race cannot be a sole cause for inquiring as to immigration status.

You have got to love a Federal system that presumes guilt of all law officers in the execution of their duties..

Stampeded, stampeded, by a President of the United States. How sad is that?

[iczlite]

11:16 PM on 07/28/2010

This is the scenario. A citizen is not required to carry citizenship papers. A Latino looking American citizen can be stopped by the police and requested to show his "papers." Since he used to believe he lived in a free country, he doesn't carry them on him. The police can arrest him on the presumption of being an undocumented immigrant.
Not true? It's already happening:
http://politifi.com/news/The-new-birthers-Arizona-truck-driver-arrested-forced-to-show-birth-certificate-529037.html
What citizens have to understand is that anything that is done against immigrants will be used against them.
Enjoy your karma.

[Gould123]

12:53 PM on 07/28/2010

Arizona got took to the cleaners! Follow the money! No wonder Brewster wanted a state an local Immigration Bill! Seems Brewsters deputy chief of staff an others in the Republican staff office has interest in the CAA an stands to line their pockets with a Lot of money, the more they can throw in Tent City an the prison down their. If one of the Republican Candidates wife is a lobbyist for the prison an Brewsters Staff got interest tied up in the prison system that will house these immigrants an etc. Than the FEAR TACTIC they used on the people of arizona to get support for this bill is fraudlent, an I am not sure but it could be inlegal! Politicians pushed this all the while knowing THEY would make money off it, an stick the Tax payers with the cost.

[Ana4]

04:21 PM on 07/28/2010

Is your D key not working?

[voyager48]

10:45 AM on 08/01/2010

no I think it is the Q or maybe the I that is deficient

[Robert Yager]

11:45 AM on 07/28/2010

Next years headline "Arizona balances budget, record surplus expected".

[Gould123]

12:57 PM on 07/28/2010

U mean surplus in the pockets of Arizona's politicains who just happened to have their fingers in the CAA prison system down there! Brewster own Deputy Chief of staff an other staff members are sitting to line their pockets with interest in the CAA in Arizona! U wonder NOW why the state wanted to take it over from the Federal Goverment. They used the Fear mongering to push their immigration law, while all the while had their hands in the cookie jar, right along with a Candidates wife who is a lobbyist for the CAA! Ya Betcha, wink,wink-----That's the way they love it!

[gatlinggun6]

03:22 PM on 07/28/2010

Balance the budget based on what? The lost tax revenues because legal and illegals left the state? They did spend money and pay all sorts of taxes. How about the lost revenue from all the businesses that go belly up because their customers moved. I know, the surplus will come from organizations large and small that elect to avoid AZ. Could it be it'll come from the added expenses on the citizens of AZ to house, and otherwise care for people who (legal and illegal) are picked up. Maybe it'll come from the millions AZ will pay to defend the law in court, and the inevitable payout when law enforcement mistakenly kill or otherwise maim a detainee. I'm stunned how easily people willingly piss on the very ideals that brought this country forth. Could it be because you think you are giving someone else's rights away? And you still think it can't happen here?

[Robert Yager]

11:44 AM on 07/28/2010

Thats awesome, Id move to Arizona if it wasnt a giant litterbox.

[Clevelandinwi]

10:30 AM on 07/28/2010

Black people have clarencethomas and michaelsteele - now Hispanic people have jesse hernandez. The world grows sadder and sadder as we watch the sell outs at work.

[massjim]

07:53 AM on 07/28/2010

"Hispanic immigrants with U.S. citizenship must choose whether to leave the state, or stay in Arizona and risk suffering what many have seen as a likelihood for racial discrimination ... "

And that racial discrimination would take the form of ...
officer: "I see you've committed another crime/offence, and you are hispanic and can't speak English, can I see you're driver's license"?
citizen "Si ... "
officer: "very good, thank you"

[gatlinggun6]

03:59 PM on 07/28/2010

Sure massjim what a polite exchange. It's also nonsense over time. New and additional state powers that impinge on freedom and liberty are always seen as a necessity to some end and benign to most citizens. But we know that's not where it ends don't we? Eventually your oh so polite exchange translates into a stern look followed by: "PAPERS PLEASE" for every single American no matter who you are, what you look like, where you are, where you came from, or what you are doing. Why do you think this time they won't eventually come for you, and yours. Since you didn't complain when they came for illegals, why would I think you would complain when they come for anyone other than you. But then who would be left to complain?

[Ana4]

04:33 PM on 07/28/2010

You're spot on. Never underestimate the ability of f.ach.ists to seek domin.ation.

[massjim]

07:51 AM on 07/29/2010

I've been pulled over 4 or 5 times in my life. The police always ask for my license and registration. Usually I sit in my car for 10 minutes while they run my plates to check for MY legal status ( warrants etc). Do I consider that an outrage? No .... law abiding citizens are grateful for law enforcement keeping us safe.

[Emmanuel Carrillo]

05:02 AM on 07/28/2010

As an American Citizens born in the U.S. of Hispanic descent this law is a sore spot. Yes there may be some racial profiling, but even if I was in Arizona the law is not targeting me. It is targeting those that either overstayed their visas or got into the U.S. illegally. Even though it is not targeting me though, if I am ever in Arizona I don't know how I would feel about possibly being arrested if I say ran a red light and forgot my ID at home; I don't make a habit of carrying my birth certificate around with me...

[TggerJen]

05:42 AM on 07/28/2010

We have a significant number of Hispanic law enforcement officers here in Arizona. I'm curious, and I'd appreciate it if you could tell me who you expect them to profile?

[theerrantsoul]

01:04 PM on 07/28/2010

I expect them to profile anyone their own prejudices compel them to profile.

[Clevelandinwi]

10:31 AM on 07/28/2010

Yes it is targeting you - you have got to see that.

[Wasp35]

01:09 AM on 07/28/2010

"Hispanic immigrants with U.S. citizenship must choose whether to leave the state, or stay in Arizona and risk suffering what many have seen as a likelihood for racial discrimination…”

Left-wing "journalists" just can't stop lying about this law. As much as liberals would love it, Hispanic US citizens are NOT packing up their lives and leaving Arizona because of the terrifying possibility that a police officer might ask for their identification during a traffic stop. Immigrants that have become US citizens by complying with our laws aren't going anywhere just because a bunch of liberal elitists are fear-mongering about racial profiling. Hispanic immigrants that have lived in Arizona long enough to be naturalized know that SB 1070 isn't going to suddenly turn the law enforcement officers in their community into evil, bigoted racists overnight (especially the Hispanic ones). You lose, libs.

And by the way, that pathetic "boycott" of yours has had no impact whatsoever on Arizona hotels. I know liberals love the idea of destroying hard-working people financially to vindicate their own narcissistic crusades, but this time you failed. Hotel occupancy in Arizona was up 5.7 percent in May and 8.3 percent in June compared with the previous year. Revenue was also up, with Arizona hotels raking in $148 million last month, an 11 percent increase from last year.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/27/arizona-hotels-thriving-despite-boycotts-immigration-law/

[Clevelandinwi]

10:33 AM on 07/28/2010

wasp35? Empty numbers and lies don't make it right.

[TommyObama]

11:35 AM on 07/28/2010

Wrong, WASP. Bookings for 2011 and 2012 are hurting badly. Here's a quote from today's AZ Republic:
"
For 2011, the Sheraton's lost business currently stands at just under $2.5 million, he said. From 2012-14, the total is between $4 million and $5 million. All had been on the verge of signing contracts.

"You're not going to start to see the impact, in my opinion, until the mid- to late first quarter of 2011," Percopo said.

He and other hoteliers are most worried about the lost business they can't quantify: groups that are striking Arizona off their list of meetings destinations in protest.

"The issue is that we're creating this hole in the future," said David Krietor, a deputy Phoenix city manager who oversees convention center issues."

The link:

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/07/28/20100728arizona-immigration-law-tourism.html#ixzz0uzXyKHsC

[Max is Back]

10:56 PM on 07/27/2010

I always wondered how the Skeletor would govern a state. Seems like Arizona or Aryanzona as it will become known is a prime example of how to torpedo an already weak economy by imposing b!gotry by mandate. Who knew those He-Man comic books were prophetic?

[theerrantsoul]

01:16 PM on 07/28/2010

Huh, I always thought she looked more like she was in the early stages of becoming a Sith Lord like Emperor Palpatine. Give it ten years or so.

[Max is Back]

06:24 PM on 07/27/2010

It's pretty funny to read about the lone Uncle Tom supporting the law which has destroyed the Arizona economy like no one could have imagined. The GOP loves to parade their tokens in front of cameras, I remember in a small town they used to parade a black guy who loved to wear confederate uniforms around and put him on the front page of the local newspaper on Martin Luther King day as an example of what the GOP ideal of a token was. I wonder if these "Latino Republiklans" have stopped to wonder how on earth they are going to get re-elected in November if all their voters are leaving the state under the threat of Arpaio's race based harassment...

[treeshack]

06:57 PM on 07/27/2010

Unfortunately for you SB1070 has wide support in the state that crosses racial lines. And other states are in the process of enacting similar laws.

How's it feel out there in the cold?

[Max is Back]

10:54 PM on 07/27/2010

Woudn't know, got a mirror?

Germany elected hi tler in 1932 so he enjoyed popular support, Jim Crow enjoyed overwhelming support where it was the law, Apartheid was also popular and never lost a vote as long as it remained in effect.

Pretty pathetic when you have to resort to popularity to defend an illegal and immoral law that creates racial disrimination....

[TommyObama]

11:43 AM on 07/28/2010

It's most recently supported by 55% of Arizonans, while allowing illegals with jobs and clean records to stay in Arizona is supported by 62% of Arizonans, even wider support. Those who want to "round 'em up" are going to find that Arizona's not gonna play your way. We need comprehensive immigration reform, that includes some form of amnesty. Not so surprisingly, Arizonans know that better than most.

Link:http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/07/25/20100725immigration-poll-amnesty.html

and the mother link: http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/07/25/20100725immigration-poll-demographic.html

[Jefferson78]

10:15 PM on 07/27/2010

You read a different article. This one points out how well the Arizona law is working.

[Max is Back]

10:50 PM on 07/27/2010

I guess if you consider race based ethnic cleansing to be possitive...

Pretty sick and twisted how you teabaggers try to justify the fact that citizens and legal residents are leaving the state in droves...

[TommyObama]

11:45 AM on 07/28/2010

Something tells me having ethnic cleansing on its resume isn't gonna work so well for the GOP in 10 to 15 years. Enjoy it while you can.

[Disdain]

02:20 PM on 07/27/2010

Prince William county in Virginia has had a similar for three years. It's has not become a hot bet of racial profiling. All it did is shrink the illegal immigrants population.

[treeshack]

02:22 PM on 07/27/2010

Don't tell the ACLU, whatever you do.

[wdw505]

04:24 PM on 07/27/2010

good

[jsanti7]

05:17 PM on 07/27/2010

Here is a prospective of what that law did http://www.9500liberty.com/
opinions of some people in Prince William county in Virginia