Posted on 02/03/2008 4:40:50 PM PST by mdittmar
Illegal immigrants are coming into Texas, but not from where one might think.
The rush is coming from Oklahoma, Arizona and other states, places that have recently passed tough new anti-illegal immigrant laws.
The two toughest measures are in Oklahoma and Arizona.
The Oklahoma statute, which took effect in November, makes it a crime to transport, harbor or hire illegal immigrants. Effective Jan. 1, the Arizona law suspends the business license of employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. On a second offense, the license is revoked.
Anecdotal information seems to indicate that illegal immigrants are leaving these states in growing numbers.
"They're really tightening the screws," said Mario Ortiz, an undocumented Mexican worker who came to Houston after leaving Phoenix last year. "There have been a lot coming -- it could be 100 a day."
In Tulsa, Okla., the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has estimated that 15,000 to 25,000 illegal immigrants have left the area. One builder estimated that 30 percent of the Hispanic work force left Tulsa.
"There's been a tremendous impact in Oklahoma City," said David Castillo, the executive director of the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "We've had several companies close shop and leave the state. Banks have called us and say they're closing 30 accounts per week."
Enrique Hubbard, Mexico's consul general in Dallas, said a dozen Mexican families from Oklahoma have applied for consular documents listing their new homes in the Dallas area. He expects more to arrive because jobs are available in North Texas.
Texas' reputation as a welcoming destination has experts predicting more immigrants will come to Houston and other cities in the state. Texas has not passed any statewide law targeting the employment of undocumented workers.
"Texas is still very much an entrepreneurial place, where you can find your place in this economy," said James Hollifield, a Southern Methodist University professor and migration expert. "It's not an immigrant's paradise, but if you work hard and keep your head down you can get ahead."
Ortiz, a native of southern Mexican state of Tabasco, said he left Phoenix eight months ago working 60 to 70 hours a week as a nursery worker. While now he can only pick up two to three days a week of yardwork and barely earns enough to send back to his family, he prefers to be in Texas.
"Here, they let you work. Over there, they won't. There is a lot of racism, but here there isn't -- it's better," Ortiz said of Houston.
A bit further South and they will be where they belong to.
Good. Bush’s (and Perry’s) policies can reap what they have sown: Texans displaced from their jobs by Illegal Immigrants.
Sorry Texas. But you know the solution: vote out the Amnesty lovers.
Perry welcomes them ... as votes for him!
Well, of course it's racism.
/s
I wish many states would get tough. Eventually all the states they are flocking to would have to get tough as well. If they wait too long there would be too many though so it might not be politically viable.
Texas has not passed any statewide law targeting the employment of undocumented workers.”
Stupid Texas
Remember the Alamo
So why TX and not CA, where there are more freebies?
If 46 more States pass laws similar to Oklahoma and Arizona, then even a McCain Presidency can’t screw things up for the Country.
Please tell us, Ortiz, what race are you and what race(s) were indicating their superiority to your race? Hmmm? Have you ever stopped to consider that the fact that you are here illegally had more to do with the opinion that others hold?
not if McCain gets in.
It would be so effective if states could coordinate efforts, and time their laws so as to implement a “peristalsis” effect, kind of like how a large intestine works... just have to have a north-to-south wave of these laws.
I don’t believe we need to waste money on a wall. Make laws that punish people and businesses that hire illegals, make sure to enforce them and they will go home.
I think we're at our saturation point :)
Seriously, the housing industry is almost at a stand still where I live and the cost of living is high. Probably no jobs...just a guess
Build the fence on the north side of Texas.
People should go to where they’re most wanted.
if you work hard and keep your head down you can get ahead."I didn't know that only works in Texas.
One state addresses the immigration problem, and soon it becomes the problem of another state.
First Mexico exports its poverty problem to us, then we trade it back and forth over state lines.
This needs to be addressed nationally... on the same day.
Keep making laws that make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to remain..
Cut off ALL city, county, state and federal funds to illegal immigrants...
Force all of them to return to their country of origin along with their “anchor babies” and not allow any to return unless it’s through the FRONT DOOR with LEGAL VISAS...
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