How are AZ and OK's new anti-illegal-immigration laws working?

When Arizona and Oklahoma passed laws against hiring illegal immigrants, supporters said the new rules would send a lot of the illegals back across the border. Turns out, though, a lot of those illegal immigrants are moving to Texas instead, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston officials are worried about the impact on schools, hospitals and traffic. Meanwhile, Arizona and Oklahoma officials say they've had several businesses close because the labor market has dried up.

Comments

[wycowolf]

Well, can't make omelettes without breaking a few eggs. I still can't believe the audacity of illegal immigrants when they get so upset about us actually wanting them to be here legally or not at all. If a person tries to sneak illegally into Mexico, they're subject to two years in prison. They have no right to be here, so how can they complain when they have a tough time of it? Makes me glad I moved out of San Antonio when I did though. In a year or two I'd have been a stranger in my own city.

[Searching]

Until all the UNITED STATES actually, well, UNITE and take a strong and irreversible stance against this invasion... this will continue.

[Marvin]

We have an illegal immigration problem because we WANT them here. Maybe not you, but plenty of people love the cheap labor; from farmers, to construction, to a dirt cheap guy to mow your lawn.

You want to end illegal immigration? Stop hiring them and go after the companies that do!

[Searching]

No sh@@, Marvin.. they can still fill out the paper work.. there will still be plenty of gardners to go around. We will just get the taxes from their labor.

[Joe S TheRagMan]

I wonder what TonysKansasCity will have on this one?

He's probably going to Texas, today, to urge them to come to KC so he can harbor them. He and his clan are illegal immigrant supporters. He actually has the audacity to call the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps a racist organization because they rat out the illegals to the Border Patrol.

I'm all for immigration, as long as they're documented and paying for their own taxes and health care. We're way too liberal with these illegals and their health care.

I blogged about it a while back. Check it out if you so choose.

http://joesrag.blogspot.com/2008/01/hey-americans-tired-of-footing-bill-for.html

[Wester]

I agree that the illegals are cheap labor and it is appreciated by some. The facts are is that savings are not being passed to the consumer. Business that hire cheap labor still charge what the businesses that do not hire illegal’s do, so all of that cash goes straight into their pockets. I still can’t figure out what the problem is, Illegal is still against the law, you are a law breaker, you are a criminal. The answer is get legal, DUH. Would we turn our backs on any other set of criminals, Oh you need to steal so that you can continue your drug habit, that’s O.K. we will look the other way because it is a good reason to be a criminal.

[Searching]

Actually we do turn our back on a set of criminals because they have good reason..
The Senate and the Congress.

[kmb]

LOL! - Thanks, Searching!

[G]

"because labor is drying up."

Bullsh*t!!! If your business can't survive by paying your laborers a basic minimum wage, you shouldn't be doing business in the United States.

For every illegal immigrant you are screwing, there is a LEGAL immigrant (or an American for that matter) willing to do the work for a decent minimum wage.

[howard]

As more and more states pass laws against illegal immigration, the more difficult it will be for the feds to give amnesty. The feds do not have to listen to the people, but the state politicians do. Of course mccain wants to add 20 million more to the welfare rolls so big business can have cheap labor, but it will be our tax dollars that foot the bill for medical, schools, and foodstamps. You might as well vote for a democrat.

[Mark]

This article shows how biased the kc red star is. Sentences like " Turns out, though, a lot of those migrant workers are moving to Texas instead". The laws are against illegal aliens not migrant workers. The tone of the article makes it sound as if the laws arent working when in fact they are. The illegals are moving out. That was the intention of the law and its working. The burden on Houston is not due to the laws in Arizona and Oklahoma, its because of the illegal aliens not going back to their home country.

[James Hart]

Mark: Actually, I wasn't trying to convert anybody to communism. I'd used the term "illegal immigrant" in the sentence before and didn't want to repeat myself. But you're right, it's not accurate the way it stands. I'll fix it.

[Marvin]

Mark,

I think the point is that illegal immigration is a federal issue, not a state issue. In fact, forcing states to perform the duties of Immigration Services makes life HARDER on local government. Say, a murder occurs in an immigrant enclave. Illegal immigrants are less likely to contact or work with law enforcement if they think that they're at risk of being deported.

[Chris]

It is ridiculous how many people don't want to secure our borders. Our current policies are endangering the wellbeing of the United States for generations to come. I think the first step is to eliminate the incentives of illegal immigrants to come. Unfortunately, some in Congress want to increase the incentive by providing subsidized college education to illegal immigrants. This will only encourage them to stay. I found a petition which is trying to stop this problem before it's too late, and, as we get more signatures, money is donated to help the Border Patrol protect America.
http://petitionearth.com/viewpetition.php?id=63
We must stand strong at this crucial point in America's history.

[Mark]

Marvin
The word immigrant means you have a legal status. That is why I refer to them as illegal aliens. Illegal immigrant makes no sense at all. Also, local governments enforcing immigration laws would ease the burden of local governance by freeing up hospital space, and less people would be using up valuable, tax payed for, services such as roads, and pollution clean up.

[Mark]

Also, the burden on public schools would be eased.

[kmb]

"I found a petition...."

Posted by: Chris | Tuesday, February 05, 2008 at 11:48 AM

Okay, yeah, an online petition - because we know exactly how well these things work.

There are many resources to help you initiate a bill, change a law, whatever - and I'd be willing to bet that not one of them says an online poll does one dang bit of good.

But if it'll help keep you occupied, then more power to the polls!

[Xero Pascal]

Mark,

Where in the world did you find that definition for immigrant? An immigrant is (according to Merriam-Webster and a number of other sources) defined as a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence. So according to the correction definition illegal immigrants is the correct term and in no way oxymoronic or contradictory.

As for your second statement to Marvin concerning use of public goods (roads, pollution control, fire, police, etc.) by illegal immigrants, you have shown your hand as a person uneducated to the definition of public goods. Public goods are, by nature, subject to "free-riders" because anybody in the public venue can use them limitlessly despite their contribution to the project.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that illegal immigration is a concern for this country, but using semantical arguments that are wrong only digress from the topic. If you disagree with Marvin, which you apparently do, you should make points as to what level of government should handle the problem and stop worrying about specific terms used, especially if contextually everybody understands those terms.

[ddh]

I can not wait till Missouri gets this LAW!!!
tired of paying taxes for Criminals and there anchor babies.

[Ruben]

I Think This site proves the real point liberals Cry About what ?? The laws must be working liberals are Crying about the laws BECAUSE THE LAWS ARE WORKING !!!

[Brittanicus]

Anybody want to guess before Texas enacts some harsh illegal immigration laws? My guess is less than six months, once the full impact of more overcrowded schools, long hours waiting for citizens in hospital emergency rooms, the free- loaders hitting the welfare offices and other social services. Last, but not least will be the need to find more bunks in the Lone Star State prison system? I don't think any state want's to join the 8.7 billion budget meltdown in Arnolds California.

Other states are carefully watching these mass exodus!

[cohen]

Dear Billy Bobb, you are on the losing side of the immigration issue-get over it. There will be a comprehensive immigration reform with path to citizenship for illegals over the next four years and there is nothing you can do about it!!!

[Hessie L. Harris]

We believe in the rule of law. However, this whole thing is being driven by the almighty dollar. Illegals will go where they get a good reception. Connecticut is an example. Not only are they getting benefits, they are getting ID cards. Well, the invasion is getting a bit uncomfortable for the citizens. Now people there are complaining. Texas still has work in the construction industry, illegals are flocking there. Of course, as "Reuben" has indicated once the attendant costs become a problem, Texans will start passing laws addressing illegal immigration. Those citizens who state opposition to the illegal activity will be branded racist. What needs to be realized is that the longer illegal aliens are allowed to remain anywhere in the US, the longer they will believe they have a right to be here. The longer big business and corrupt officials on both sides of the border are allowed to dictate social policy and law enforcement, the longer there will be a problem with illegal immigration and its effects.

[Catalina Heiras]

I wonder what will happen once all the illegals become legals and demand better salaries. Will companies be hiring more illegals to pay half of their salaries?

[Sam]

Immigration has exsited ever since the US became a nation. Lets see the facts and history. There are an estimated 12-24 milliion people her living in the shadows, living double lives.
I believe in a FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL that will include the following: 1) Secure the Canadian & Mexican Borders, meaning- putting more man power. If the US builds a 20 foot wall that is 700 miles long, ther will always be a 30 FOOT LADDER!
2) Crackdown of Big companies that hire illegal labor.
3) Pass the DREAM ACT which will help those children that came here forced by their parents. We can not punish the young student or the young solider who are illegal due to their parents. America should help by creating a pathway to give them residency FIRST!
4) Create a Guest worker program. This program will encourage thousands of people all over the world who want to EXPERIENCE THE AMERICAN DREAM!
5) CREAT a reasonable pathway to document the 12-24 millions of immigrants. They will be required to pay taxes, learn ENGLISH, pass a criminal back-ground check, and pay fines. This will be the 1st step in many. America will give them a temporarily visa for 1 year. If people do not try to become residents then ship them out.

I admire and respect each person's view on immigration and other issues. America needs a someone like Hillary Clinton in the WHITE HOUSE, not today, not tomorrow, but in 11 months. I believe she has the CHANGE to CHNAGE America. LOOK AT HER RECORD.

Thank you to all those who read this COMMENT.
God bless you!!!!

[rogerg]

There has been on the books for decades an unlimited H1&H2 visa program that allows migrant workers to come to the states to work. The only reason it's used is to provide agra-biz and other seasonal needs to be filled if those needs are a reality. It requirs a little paper work and the employer must pay min. wages, provide housing, etc.. Why isn't it used? because they don't want to follow the rules, pay min. wages, provide housing, etc..
Shame on these employers.
If fences don't work why is there a fence around the White house?

[Jane]

Perhaps immigration laws would be better enforced if there were revenue attached. State police enforce speed limits on state highways. Local police have speed traps in their local communities. Because both earn revenue, the policeman enforce the law. and there's no argument about jurisdiction.

How can something similar be done to make government WANT to enforce immigration laws?

[Jane]

Perhaps immigration laws would be better enforced if there were revenue attached. State police enforce speed limits on state highways. Local police have speed traps in their local communities. Because both earn revenue, the policeman enforce the law. and there's no argument about jurisdiction.

How can something similar be done to make government WANT to enforce immigration laws?