Crackdown has illegal immigrants leaving Arizona

[GaryC 7]

Crackdown has illegal immigrants leaving Arizona

The Arizona Republic

NOGALES, Sonora - It's a common scene this time of year: streams of overloaded cars, pickups and vans with U.S. license plates crossing into Mexico for the holidays.

Most are filled with Hispanic families from Arizona and other states on their way to visit relatives south of the border for a few weeks before heading back to the U.S. But this year, the holiday travelers are being joined by scores of families such as Jorge and Liliana Franco, who are driving to Mexico not to visit but to stay - permanently.

Congress' failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform, immigration crackdowns, Arizona's new employer-sanctions law and a sluggish economy have combined to create a climate families such as the Francos no longer find hospitable.

The number returning to Mexico is difficult to calculate, but there is no question that many families are leaving, according to Mexican government officials, local community leaders and immigrants themselves.

"The situation in Arizona has become very tough," Jorge said minutes after driving into a Mexican immigration and customs checkpoint south of the border on Mexico 15.

Dozens of immigrants are leaving the U.S. daily, and even more are expected to leave once the sanctions law takes effect in January, provided the law survives a last-minute legal challenge, said Rosendo Hernandez, president of the advocacy group Immigrants Without Borders.

"If people can't find work, they won't be able to pay their bills, so they will leave," Hernandez said.

This is what I have been saying for a long time. Take away the work and they will leave. No need to deport 12 million people, just make it so they want to leave on their own. YAY!!!!

In what are considered bellwethers of permanent moves back to Mexico, the Mexican consulate in Phoenix has seen a dramatic increase in applications for Mexican birth certificates, passports and other documents that immigrants living in Arizona will need to return home.

In November alone, the consulate processed 240 applications for Mexican birth certificates, three times as many as the same month last year, said Carlos Flores Vizcarra, Mexican consul general of Phoenix.

Processing applications

The consulate also has processed more than 16,500 applications for Mexican passports this year, nearly twice as many as last year. Vizcarra attributed some of the demand for passports to stricter travel regulations among the U.S., Mexico and Canada slated to take effect in January. But he said many illegal immigrants are applying for passports in case they lose their jobs due to the sanctions law or a slowdown in the economy and therefore want to go back and live in Mexico.

"People are fearful. They are getting ready as much as they can (to leave)," he said.

Mexican officials and border authorities expect southbound traffic to rise significantly this week as Christmas approaches.

The exodus has drawn cheers from foes of illegal immigration.

"That is the whole purpose of the (sanctions) law," said state Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, "to not only stop people from coming, but to have these who are here illegally go back to whence they came. They shouldn't be here."

The Pew Hispanic Center estimates there are 500,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona, and they make up about 9 percent of the state's population. Illegal immigrants make up 10 percent to 12 percent of the work force, according to Pew and the Center for Immigration Studies.

The economy could be devastated if all were to leave, advocates say. But Kavanagh, one of the most outspoken backers of the sanctions law, doubts the law will have much impact on Arizona's economy. He hopes any economic problems caused by illegal immigrants leaving Arizona will pressure Congress to create a guest-worker program to allow more foreign-born workers to enter legally to help fill labor gaps.

But unlike illegal immigrants, guest workers will enter in "an orderly and legal fashion with screening," he said.

Leaving for good

On Mexico 15 on the outskirts of Nogales, Son., the Francos were getting ready for the final leg of their journey from Arizona to Ciudad Obregon, their hometown six hours south of the border.

Jorge, 34, was driving an extended-cab Ford F-150 pickup that was so overloaded with the family's belongings that the vehicle no longer looked safe for highway travel. The bed of the pickup sagged under the weight of a full-size refrigerator, an air-conditioning unit, a television and a microwave oven, while the Francos' three young children grew restless inside the cab.

Franco's wife, Liliana, 25, drove a second vehicle. Her Dodge minivan was packed just as full, with clothing, toys and household items. Several suitcases that didn't fit inside had been lashed to the roof.

Living in Wickenburg

The couple said they had lived in Wickenburg for the past five years. They and their two children had originally entered the United States legally with tourist visas and then stayed beyond the expiration dates. The couple had no legal status to work in the U.S., but both were able to get jobs using fake documents, Jorge at a small landscaping company, Liliana at a Burger King. Two years ago, their third child, Michael, was born in Arizona, making him a U.S. citizen.

The couple said life for them in Arizona began to unravel earlier this year when Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform. The collapse caused the Francos to give up hope that Congress would pass a legalization program anytime soon. Then, Gov. Janet Napolitano signed Arizona's employer-sanctions law.

The law threatens to suspend or revoke business licenses from employers caught knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. It also requires employers to use a federal computer program to electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, and several business groups are suing to have the law tossed out, claiming it is unconstitutional. Nevertheless, thousands of illegal immigrants have been let go as worried employers conduct reviews of I-9s, the federal forms employers are required to use to verify the employment eligibility of their workers.

In November, employers checked the Francos' employment records and discovered they had used false documents to get their jobs, the couple said. Both were let go.

The Francos tried getting other jobs but were turned down every place they applied.

"Everyone wants a good Social Security number now," Liliana said.

The couple said a crackdown on illegal immigration by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio also prompted them to move back to Mexico. Sheriff's deputies trained to enforce immigration laws have been arresting illegal immigrants in the Wickenburg area, and the couple feared their family would be split apart if one of them got deported.

Earlier this month, they sold their trailer home in Wickenburg and began packing their bags. They also took their oldest child, Yulissa, 7, a second-grader at Hassayampa Elementary School, out of school.

What did they plan to do for work in Mexico?

Jorge shook his head. He didn't know. Then, after clearing immigration and customs, the couple climbed back inside the pickup and the minivan and drove back onto the highway, headed south.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/71835.php

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's the way to go. Stop the unwarranted hospitality and let them leave on their own. Those that stay, I'm sure we can deal with and get them gone. Btw, is the Arizona economy collapsing yet?

[peejay 327]

I would love to see Texas crack down on the illegals like some of the other states, but the state and city governments are too far into the hip pockets of the business interests that own the state. The only reason that idiot Rick Perry was reelected governor was because the Dem candidate was a worst idiot than he is. It doesn't say much for him or the local politics in general. We do have some good politicians...just not enough to be effective.

Most of the largest cities in the state are illegal alien sanctuary cities...including my city of Houston.

[Ban Hammer 12,829]

cya! don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

[SMOKE 1,426]

That's the way to go. Stop the unwarranted hospitality and let them leave on their own. Those that stay, I'm sure we can deal with and get them gone. Btw, is the Arizona economy collapsing yet?

no. and neither has Oklahomas 2 down 48 to go.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Go back, stand in line and get a legal job here.

[Donna A 4]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

[Don_Joy's Prince 0]

Go back, stand in line and get a legal job here.

Agreed

QUOTE(Mr. Big Dog @ Dec 20 2007, 07:53 PM) *

That's the way to go. Stop the unwarranted hospitality and let them leave on their own. Those that stay, I'm sure we can deal with and get them gone. Btw, is the Arizona economy collapsing yet? whistling.gif

no. and neither has Oklahomas biggrin.gif 2 down 48 to go.

This works too!

Edited December 21, 2007 by Don_Joy's Prince

[Dan J 277]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

Right, because a few people (1-2%) leaving is going to have much effect at all. Lets look at it again, when all the illegal immigrants leave (10% of Arizona's workforce). You cant just take out that many people and expect business as usual.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

Right, because a few people (1-2%) leaving is going to have much effect at all. Lets look at it again, when all the illegal immigrants leave (10% of Arizona's workforce). You cant just take out that many people and expect business as usual.

Trust me, Arizona won't go down when they're all gone. It'll be better off for it. Stay tuned and watch it unfold.

[GaryC 7]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

Right, because a few people (1-2%) leaving is going to have much effect at all. Lets look at it again, when all the illegal immigrants leave (10% of Arizona's workforce). You cant just take out that many people and expect business as usual.

We will just have to get over it. If we are building our economy on illegal labor then we need to change that now before it gets worse. I will gladly take that pill, but I am with Big Dog on this one. Our economy will be better off without them. They are a net drain on our economy but more than that having them here without documentation is just wrong.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

Right, because a few people (1-2%) leaving is going to have much effect at all. Lets look at it again, when all the illegal immigrants leave (10% of Arizona's workforce). You cant just take out that many people and expect business as usual.

We will just have to get over it. If we are building our economy on illegal labor then we need to change that now before it gets worse. I will gladly take that pill, but I am with Big Dog on this one. Our economy will be better off without them. They are a net drain on our economy but more than that having them here without documentation is just wrong.

Right on, Gary. Building the economy on illegal labor is like building a skyscraper w/o a solid foundation. It just won't stand very long.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

why go back to mexico when there are so many other states that will take them? for some reason i have a hard time believeing they are just up and leaving.

I think the important development is to demonstrate that all this "the economy will collapse without illegal labor" ####### is just that: #######. Arizona is taking the wind out of the scaremongers sails and that is a good thing. People will see that they've been taken for a ride by the open borders crowd. And they won't listen to these bullshite arguments any longer. Let's hear it for Arizona.

Fckin rebuplicans!

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I would not loose any sleep if we were able to get every single dahamn illegal alien out of this country...