It’s naïve to believe SB 1070 hasn’t had an effect on the illegal immigrant population in Arizona. It’s equally foolish to believe that the law has any kind of larger effect.
So let’s stipulate that SB 1070 has led to a decreased illegal immigrant population. Let’s also stipulate that to determine just how much of a decrease is almost impossible to determine. And let’s stipulate that it has had little effect on increased border security.
No doubt that SB 1070’s “attrition through enforcement” has worked. Illegal immigrants have left the state in part because of the fear the law put into them. We’ve lost thousands over the last several years. And what SB 1070 does or was rumored to do caused many to leave.
But no one should argue that SB 1070 by itself led to that exodus. In fact, as the government has noted, illegal immigrants began to leave the state prior to the bill’s passage. And illegal immigration to the state had already slowed by the time the bill became law.
Because the bill became law in the midst of a recession, the effect of that law is problematic. Many of the sectors of our economy most damaged by the recession — housing, tourism and the food industry — were the same areas where we’d find a preponderance of illegal immigrants working.
So to be fair, we’d have to conclude that the law and the economy were factors in the diminished illegal population.
Beyond that, however, proponents are on shaky ground.
SB 1070 has had zero effect on border security, what most who object to the status quo say they are concerned with.
No one really believes that drug cartels have slowed because of the bill’s passage into law. Both Cochise County and Pinal County sheriffs regularly bemoan the number of smugglers coming through their counties.
And those smugglers don’t just continue to move drugs through our state; despite the falling numbers, many of those coyotes still bring a sizable number of illegals to or through Arizona. In fact, when we speak of illegal immigrants, we’re really talking about two groups — those who’ve been here and those who try to come here. SB 1070 only really addresses the former.
So what about the ones trying to come here? Besides the economy slowing the immigration, those who oppose Obama would have to admit that some of his policies have had an effect: increased numbers of border patrols, drones flying the Texas and Arizona borders, deporting illegal immigrants in record numbers.
And yet, because his administration opposes SB 1070, Obama is somehow for “open borders.”
The reality, however, is this: Until we continue to strengthen our borders and find a workable solution to those currently living in the U.S., the immigration problem won’t be solved.
That solution, no matter how objectionable to some, will inevitably include some path to legal residency for otherwise law-abiding illegal residents.
Only the most rabid enforcement-only types would deny that.
Unfortunately, those folks — along with their comrades on the opposite side — currently have a stranglehold on the issue. And this is an election year.
Which means little will be done any time soon.
Mike McClellan is a Gilbert resident and former English teacher at Dobson High School in Mesa.
onepercent posted at 10:29 am on Wed, May 2, 2012.
Considering that the most important aspects of SB1070 were blocked by the courts before they could ever be enforced it seems a little premature to assume that the effects of the bill will always be this limited. Once the primary aspects of the law go into effect later this summer I think the overall effect will be much greater. The effects will be even more substantial early next year after a new pro-enforcement presidential administration stops Obama's backhanded executive-order amnesty program and the INS starts deporting illegal immigrants again. As the illegals are deported or flee to more accommodating states this will open up more jobs for legal citizens and lower our unemployment rate as well as reducing their enormous impact on social services and lowering the crime rate.
ram1009 posted at 10:47 am on Wed, May 2, 2012.
I guess I'm a "rabid enforcement type" because I would never allow a single amnesty. SB1070 is OK but doesn't go nearly far enough. We need to pass/enforce laws that make it clear that illegals are NOT welcome here. Stop selling/renting to them and stop broadcasting/publishing in foreign languages for openers. Clearly those opposing such measures are the ones profiting from the presence of illegals. They need to be punished as well, maybe even more severely because they don't care at all about their fellow citizens.
iamjoe posted at 10:51 am on Wed, May 2, 2012.
you are not one percent lol.. this affects the one percent significantly... and oh yes those job americans love to do for pennies... look at the facts moron...not your tv station entertainment news... and u think the law will take affect in summer.. i highly doubt it no matter how you felt so good when you heard scj asking tough questions... its not going to happen. There are too many complications, costs, resources required that outweigh adding another law beyond the existing one..... it was all feel good show for everyone..
Accuracy posted at 12:09 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
Which means little will be done any time soon??
For that very reason, Democrats are hoping that the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down SB 1070 law. But, Supreme Court justices strongly implied they're leaning toward upholding the rights of Arizona and other states be allowed to target illegal immigrants.
Soon after the court's decision you will see a lot done with Arizona's law, and in other states with similar state-level measures. And it will directly affect the presidential campaign and Hispanic voters this year.
chatmandu002 posted at 4:39 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
Mike is just positioning himself on SB-1070 in case the supreme court up holds the law. If the court over turns SB-1070 I'm sure he will pen another column about how the law was so bad, allowed for profiling and was not thing but a political ploy by Russell Pearce and the nasty Tea Party folks.
Dale Whiting posted at 5:18 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
Where initially I predicted that the supremes would not strike down healthcare reform but would strike down SB1070, it now seems that they will do almost the opposite. They will cut out the individual mandate but not much more. And unless the President can muster more political capital, the individual mandate will not be replaced with anything else. Romneycare might even die in Massachussets.
But if the three or four problematice provisions of SB1070 are sustained, in whole or in greater part, the question is "will the feds actually take those captured by AZ cops and actually deport them?" you know, the feds could simply move them to New Mexico!
Felis Cinco de Mayo, compadres!
Arizona Willie posted at 5:34 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
The is one solution to illegal aliens and one solution only --- DEPORTATION.
Prior to deportation every alien should go through a course in " How to start a Revolution ".
And, when deported, should be sent back across the border with printed materials on " How to Start A Revolution ".
I suspect the countries sending their poor to invade use would quickly decide it would be better to keep their poor at home.
Cerulean posted at 6:57 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
I recently had a palm tree removed from my yard. There were three individuals who showed up for the job, two younger Spanish-speaking men and one who spoke English. Of the two Spanish-speakers, one, I think, understood more English than he spoke the other I don’t believe understood a word I or the English speaking foreman said. It was communication through nods and sign language. It is easy to make assumptions about these individuals and their legal status in the US. It also gives me reason to wonder about the effectiveness of e-verify.
As you point out in your column Mike, the problem is complex.
In my ungracious opinion, SB1070 will be most advantageously used by law-abiding citizens who will be given lots of opportunities to file suit against law enforcement agencies for civil rights abuse.
Grant Hubbard posted at 7:01 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
I agree with Mr McClellan’s conclusion that nothing will be done soon to solve the immigration issue.
I also agree with his thesis that no matter how objectionable to some the solution to the immigration problem" will inevitably include some path to legal residency for otherwise law-abiding illegal residents.”
I will go further an suggest that no decent and moral person would disagree with this thesis. The DREAM Act is a reasonable approach to in that direction, yet many who claim or pretend to be Christians who love their neighbors and to follow the Golden Rule would force innocent young men and women out of the country in which they grew up – the only home they have known.
As a once upon a time lawyer, I can split legal hairs and draw artificial lines in the sand as well as the next. But, at the end of the day, those who would knowingly and intentionally, and useleslly, cause innocent young men and women to suffer commit themselves to great evil for which no political gain can compensate.
I also question whether or not SB 1070 has had any effect on reversing the immigration pattern; but, as Mr. McClellan points out, there is no way to measure that insignificant variable.
samkat posted at 8:08 pm on Wed, May 2, 2012.
Mike: I think most of us agree with you in principle. However, count me as me as one of the hard over crowd. Most of the pro illegal immigration folks tend to gloss over the fact that probably 99% plus of these folks are working with fraudulent state and federal official documents and or stolen identities. Should we overlook a felony offense? How many of them have used these documents to secure welfare and even AHCCCS benefits? If a legal citizen did the same thing there would be jail time for the offense.
Now, Grant, have you stopped to consider that the Dream Act is nothing more than amnesty. Please take the time to download and read it. The way it is written, an individual up to age 35 would qualify. Now, if the politicians want to set quotas and high standards, I could reluctantly buy into it IF the individual who is over 18 has at least made an effort to secure a green card on their own. However, please keep in mind that for every male illegal alien over the age of 18 and not yet 26, they are required to register for the selective service. Failure to do do can get the individual a 250,000 fine and a hefty jail term as well as becoming ineligible for citizenship. Does anyone think this second amnesty will be the end of the illegal invasion?
Now, if I was King for a Day, or a mouse in Obama's pocket, I would declare mandatory use of E-Verify for every employer with heavy enforcement and severe penalties for those caught fudging. Mike was right that border detection is only the first line of defense. Interior enforcement has to be integral to that effort. Engaging the IRS and Social Security Administration to link their data bases with DHS/ICE would help close the close the gap. No jobs and no benefits reduces the incentive to stay.
By the way, I just watched a news segment today about the number of illegals stealing our tax dollars, 4.2 billion in 2010 alone. They are filing earned income claims and even including their children back in their home country according to the report. One example had the guy filing claim for 12 children and collecting $1,000 per kid even though they were not in the U.S. Is this right and even if you are a liberal, can you condone it?
Rational Human posted at 8:09 am on Thu, May 3, 2012.
SB1070 is nothing. It can't do anything to get rid of this infestation of America by illegal migrants. Everyone thinks it is just an ineffective law that wont solve anything. So why have you progressive socialistas spent many millions of dollars and pesos to defeat it? Someone somewhere knows it will open a flood of similar laws across this nation that will result in something. Guess what? It's just the beginning.
Rational Human posted at 8:14 am on Thu, May 3, 2012.
An Indianapolis report uncovered a tax loophole involving undocumented workers that costs taxpayers over $4.2 billion a year. What’s worse is that the IRS has known about the problem for years.
Russell George, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Inspector General for Tax Administration said that the IRS has known about the problem for years and that “the magnitude of the problem has grown exponentially.”
Undocumented workers have been taking advantage of a loophole called the Additional Child Tax Credit, a fully-refundable credit of up to $1,000 per child that was intended to help working families with children living at home. Not only are they claiming children within the U.S., they are also claiming children in Mexico.
How does this happen? All Americans, whether legal or illegal, who earn income are required by law to file taxes, but doing so requires having a social security number which illegal immigrants aren’t supposed to have. The IRS remedied this by creating the individual taxpayer identification number. This well-intentioned remedy has backfired, however, and is costing taxpayers billions of dollars a year.
The inspector general George has repeatedly warned the IRS about these abuses, releasing a report last July showing that the problem had ballooned to $4.2 billion per year.
“Keep in mind, we’re talking $4 billion per year,” George told WTHR. “It’s very troubling.”
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/04/30/irs-loophole-for-illegals-children-costs-taxpayers-billions/#ixzz1totR1X4m
VofReason posted at 12:27 pm on Thu, May 3, 2012.
Strange how Governments can protect borders in other countries but we have so much trouble with our own. Or self imposed trouble anyway. Stop giving illegal aliens welfare, foodstamps, rent, subsidies etc etc. If they show up in the emergency room, tag them with a tracking device, follow them to their employer and hand them the bill for their medical care. That problem will solve itself and quick.
Rational Human posted at 7:44 pm on Thu, May 3, 2012.
VofReason you make it sound so simple and logical you're bound to confuse you basic open border progressive socialists. They prefer convoluted pretzel logic to prove you can never defend you borders or deport millions of criminal invaders. It would be so simple it could take as little as a month to accomplish this impossible feat.
Grant Hubbard posted at 2:39 pm on Fri, May 4, 2012.
Samkat — Yes, I have read the DREAM ACT. I have not taken time to thoroughly understand it and all its implications, but I have some confidence that its sponsors, Senators Durbin, Lugar, Reid, Martinez, Leahy, Lieberman, Kennedy and Feingold – all respected, seasoned senators – were competent to draft rational, if not perfect, legislation. Of course its AMNESTY, aka forgiveness – the very essence of Christianity, of decency, of the Golden Rule which is found in all major religions. No, being a decent civilized person, a Christian, will not stop the “illegal invasion.” But it is still decent and civilized and Christian. May I suggest that when you can look in the mirror and see the reflection of perfection, you accept an imperfect effort for what it is – an act of compassion and forgiveness – of Christian decency. Do you really agree in principle?????? The overall tenor of your comment suggests that you are more interested in making life miserable for your neighbors than in loving them.
samkat posted at 7:02 pm on Fri, May 4, 2012.
Grant: Even if this misguided bill should get passed, will it stop illegals aliens from bringing their children into the country, thereby creating the demand for yet another dream act amnesty in a few years? The obvious answer is no. The bill as written allows individuals up to age 35 to apply. the college provision does not actually require the individual to complete 2 years of college which is a farce. The 2 years of military service is a disservice for all of our men and women who are obligated to serve 3, 4 or 6 years of active duty time. Why should an illegal get a free pass when our legal citizens have a total obligation of 8 years; a total of whatever active duty tie they serve plus a combination of active and inactive reserve time.
By the way, they even make provisions in the bill for the ones who do not even complete high school so it definitely is a dream act.
PS: All of the liberal legislators you mentioned vote for the 1986 amnesty act and then promptly and quietly scuttled the funds to implement the provisions they vowed would be put in place that would have precluded the 12 to 20 million illegal invaders. Of course you do gooder christians would always to choose to ignore that fact plus the more obvious on that they jumped the line and shafted an equal number of legal would be immigrants doing it the right way.
As for looking in the mirror, I did it the hard way by serving and fighting for this great country maybe even before you were born. I took the same oath of office as the congressional legislators who choose to ignore our laws except when it is convenient for them. The difference is that I live by my oath of office and they don't.
rked posted at 1:44 pm on Sat, May 5, 2012.
"....will inevitably include some path to legal residency for otherwise law-abiding illegal residents."
WRONG....Enforcement thru Attrition works....as shown by the dropping number of ILLEGALS & Only the Most Rabid Open Border FREAKs would declare that we Need an Amnesty when we've got ILLEGALS on the Run........DUH.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wangly posted at 9:59 pm on Fri, Nov 9, 2012.
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