What if a state said “welcome” to immigrants?
by Hugh Holub on Jul. 05, 2010, under border issues, humor, politicsOne of the interesting aspects of the American experiment is the diversity of how to deal with issues manifested by our 50 states. We have 50 separate laboratories experiementing on solving problems.
Recent examples include Massachusetts health care system and California’s tough environmental laws related to global warmning.
Many things that became national law and standards started with states trying to deal with problems.
Folks see other states copying Arizona’s SB 1070 approach to the immigration issue. Arizona is supposedly trying to “lead the way” for other states.
Interestingly, anecdotal evidence is suggesting that the effort to scare people into leaving Arizona is working…but instead of going back to Mexico, they’re leaving Maricopa County and going to other US states that are not as xenophobic as Arizona.
Remember, there are 50 states, and maybe not every one of them harbors fear of immigrants.
What if one of our states decided that their economy could be jump started by creating a positive climate for immigrants. In effect saying “come on down” and make their state the beacon of freedom and prosperity….sort of like America did when it was created.
Imagine a state inviting immigrants to live and work in their jurisdiction.
A lot of cities and states have been losing population. Take Michigan for example. What if that state said “come up here” and invited all those folks to move to Detriot that Arizona doesn’t want?
Just think of the home construction boom that would be sparked if a half million people decided to leave Maricopa County and move to Michigan? All those vacant lots in Detroit would get new homes.
It is ironic that Arizona, whose economy is suffering in large part from a crash on our home building industry, wants to drive a half million people out of our state and create even more vacant homes and apartments to further depress our economy.
July 5th, 2010 on 11:59 am
Latinos are a $28 billion market in AZ. Go by the mall or Costco on the weekend and look at all the Sonoran license plates. While some see this with hate, others, more rational people, realize that this is money that is being spent here in Tucson, that they are contributing to our economy…
The other side of the story that haters refuse to look at .
July 6th, 2010 on 6:57 am
Good point ! And how many of the legal visitors will quit coming to Nogales and Tucson after Sn 1070 takes effect out of fear of being hassled? I suspect we’re really going to notice the economic impact by August.
July 5th, 2010 on 12:36 pm
the folks that come to Tucson from Mexico to shop have visa’s thus are not “illegal” and are welcome,to say because they spend 28 billion they are above the law is wrong.
July 5th, 2010 on 1:10 pm
lndcrz47, you hit the nail straight on the head. All the opponents to SB1070, etc. seem hell-bent on ignoring the ILLEGAL portion of “illegal immigrant”, and assume that all supporters of SB1070 and immigration reform/enforcement want to as well, so that we can racially profile everyone with brown skin.
The fact of the matter is, when an immigrant…short-term or permanent…comes into the state LEGALLY, yes, they are often beneficial to the local economy. When they sneak across ILLEGALLY, they’re breaking the law…NATIONAL, and soon STATE law…and become a financial burden on the rest of us.
July 5th, 2010 on 4:56 pm
“Remember, there are 50 states, and maybe not every one of them harbors fear of immigrants.”
You’re right, I took the above quote from this story.
July 5th, 2010 on 12:38 pm
what gets me is that all these people try to kick immigrant out of arizona aren’t even from this state, the majority moved here from some other state. Why don’t they got back home…..
July 5th, 2010 on 1:14 pm
you left out one little word “illegal”
July 5th, 2010 on 1:26 pm
I believe it was illegal, even a capital crime, to foment revolution against the British Crown in 1776. I wonder if the Loyalists of the time annoying and repeatedly asked, “What part of illegal don’t you colonists understand”?
July 5th, 2010 on 1:42 pm
perhaps you would expand on this,what does this have to do with our problem besides the term “illegal” enlighten us please.
July 5th, 2010 on 5:31 pm
Well, everytime the discussion of immigration comes up certain folks keep harping on the notion that people are entering this country “illegally”. And these same folks are fond of repeating, ad nauseum, “What part of illegal don’t you understand”? So, I was just wondering out loud if, at the time our ancestors went all “illegal”, there were similarly strident and annoying people repeatedly asking “What part of illegal don’t you Ynakke Doodle Dandees get”?
July 5th, 2010 on 2:11 pm
I wonder if the average american will ever realize this? I bet not. To understand the treachery of the founding fathers of the US would shake the very rock with which they have implanted themselves on. The writers of the treasonist declaration of independence are criminals first and foremost. No matter how much one denies it, the fact is the colonists and their offspring are ILLEGALS.
July 5th, 2010 on 3:46 pm
if this is truth,”the fact is the colonists and their offspring are ILLEGALS.” then would it not hold true for all colonists,English-French-Russian and Spanish ?
July 6th, 2010 on 12:42 pm
Let’s see…this argument is kind of overused and really dumb. Before the colonies gained their Independence themselves, there were no Immigration Laws…the first laws were in 1790 where only whites could be granted citizenship. It wasn’t until 1863 that an amendment was formed to grant citizenship to “naturalized” people. This was to grant citizenship to the African Americans that were slaves. But still excluded all other races. If you want to see a history on when others were allowed citizenship…here: http://www.umass.edu/complit/aclanet/USMigrat.html
July 5th, 2010 on 6:20 pm
Hugh, I can just see a button or sign appearing which states “Your business welcome here, whether you are illegal or not.” A similar discussion is happening now in Hawaii, as Governor Linda Lingle is weighing whether to sign a civil union bill into law. People are wondering if her actions will encourage or drive away gays/lesbians, and their business.
July 6th, 2010 on 12:25 pm
Okay…now explain this to the cities still harboring and paying for Katrina victims that even after New Orleans was rebuilt, they haven’t gone home. Yes, some of them have started working or moving their businesses to their new cities, but more so are still on FEMA checks, welfare, unemployment, and the poor woe is me attitude of we need to be taken care of because it is our right. Democrats complain about Republicans all the time and about big corporations…but who do you think is flipping the bill to pay for all those people? Government does not produce anything or make money…they take it from people to spend it. It’s main purpose the Government is suppose to tax people is for military, infrastructure, law enforcement, or anything that helps ALL people of the United States equally. It is not to redistribute wealth or to give to other countries for aid or to pay for the living of non citizens in the USA. The only non citizens that were brought here that have the right to be here are the original Hmong/Laotians that lost their lands when we retreated through Laos when we lost Vietnam and they were being punished by North Vietnam for allowing us to retreat through their country. If one state tried “welcoming” all illegals…in a NATION that has had it’s highest unemployment since the Carter era…at least 4-6 million jobs will be created in 49 states and 1 state would have 12 million unemployed either citizens or illegals.
July 13th, 2010 on 8:49 pm
The story is inaccurate. Amazing how misuse of words can distort facts. Fear is the wrong word. Where do you get fear? Immigrants are legal. Illegal aliens aren’t. That blows your statement apart. Maybe you don’t understand English? RR
July 13th, 2010 on 9:18 pm
Maybe the “fear” comes from all those headless bodies in the desert, or the falsehood that Phoenix is the #2 kidnapping capital of the world; both of which are untrue.