Posted on 03/25/2011 7:50:56 PM PDT by moonshinner_09
Tucson – State laws like Arizona's SB1070, which aims to criminalize undocumented immigrants, not only has a negative effect on the economy, but also on public safety and education, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon told Efe.
He said the state continues suffering the effects of the economic boycott launched after the enactment of SB1070 last year and that it continues to be reflected in the canceling of conventions and seminars.
"These cancellations affect the businesses of Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike," Gordon said after a speech at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
According to an analysis by the Washington-based Center for American Progress, the boycott has cost Arizona more than $140 million.
The Democrat, one of the first politicians to come out against the controversial law, said the legislation has caused a great lack of confidence in the police.
"Laws like SB1070 do not make our communities safer," the mayor said Thursday on the UA campus.
"I believe that immigrants, especially Hispanics, are afraid to report the criminals in their neighborhoods because they fear being arrested and questioned about their immigration status," Gordon, an outspoken critic of the migrant sweeps carried out by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, said.
The mayor said that critics of illegal immigration constantly talk about how much it "costs" the state to provide public services and education for the undocumented, but forget about how much they pay in taxes.
The economic effect of SB1070 is seen in all the housing sitting empty for months, and how the domino effect is also harming businesses both big and small that have lost customers and clients.
(Excerpt) Read more at latino.foxnews.com ...
What is this “FOX News Latino” crap, anyway? I log on to FOX on my phone and that damn Latino banner takes about 1/4 of the entire real estate. Why do I want it FOX? OK, I’m going to write them to complain now...
Flash Gordon is a Dem. ‘Nuff said.
Ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.