The state of Arizona, on Jan. 1, 2008, enacted a piece of legislation aimed at destroying the ability of immigrant workers in the state to work and live. The vicious and inhumane Legal Arizona Workers Act was easily passed by a fired-up state legislature, and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano.
What happens in Arizona with the passage of this exercise in economic ethnic cleansing will be watched carefully by
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The law is the first of its kind in the United States. A similar law in Tennessee also takes effect this month, and Oklahoma will implement one in July.
As if the terror of government raids, families torn apart in the middle of the night, vigilante bands of racists, police checkpoints, and denial of basics rights to education and healthcare are not enough, this draconian measure allows the state to shut down any business that hires an undocumented worker. It is aimed at forcing all immigrants to pack up and leave the state of Arizona.
The statute, a legal expression of the right-wing drive against the immigrant community, has been pushed by extremist groups like the Minutemen, and other lynch-mob type groups. It is reminiscent of the anti-Asian (Yellow Peril) movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that finally led to the passage of the infamous federal Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and later to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Although wrapped in contradictory and confusing language, the basic thrust of the bill is simple: a first offense means a 10-day suspension for any business caught hiring an undocumented immigrant. Getting caught a second time means losing your business license permanently. Arizonians are being urged to call an anonymous hotline to report “suspected illegals.”
Legal efforts by immigrant rights advocates, civil liberties groups and large sections of the business community to declare the law unconstitutional were shot down on December 21, 2007, by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding an earlier ruling by federal judge Neil Wake. Wake refused to issue a stay to block the state from enforcing the new law.
Although it just kicked in, the new law is already having an effect on the Arizona economy as thousands of immigrant workers are forced to leave to seek work elsewhere. Many business owners, including large corporations, are stating that they have dropped plans for expansion in Arizona. It is important to note that these capitalists are only opposing the bill because it curtails their ability to make mega-profits by super-exploiting immigrant labor.
A study from the University of Arizona recently showed that in the construction sector alone, immigrant workers will lose 56,000 jobs, amounting to $6.6 billion lost in economic output and $270 million lost by in state revenues. In an economic climate marked by a falling housing market, a central component of the racists’ program is to scapegoat immigrants as responsible for the Wall Street-engendered housing crunch.
While the racists—from CNN’s Lou Dobbs to local hate-mongers—are screaming that immigrants are “stealing American jobs” and “coming to the U.S. to get free benefits,” a sober look at the facts shows that these claims are based on falsehoods and emotional appeals rather than solid analysis.
In fact, rather than draining the economy, immigrant labor contributes billions each year to it.
A 2004 study by the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona further demonstrates how the current law is based on racist hysteria, not economic data, and is yet another vehicle designed to demonize and isolate immigrant workers.
- In 2004, total Arizona state tax revenue that can be attributed to immigrant workers was an amazing $2.4 billion ($860 million for naturalized citizens and $1.5 billion for non-citizens). Balanced against estimated fiscal costs of $1.4 billion for education, health and other public services, the net impact of immigrants in Arizona was a positive contribution of $940 million.
- Consumer spending in 2004 by undocumented households in Arizona was $4.4 billion.
- Tax revenues for the state by undocumented immigrant workers amounted to $320 million, including personal taxes of $36 million, sales taxes of $150 million and business taxes of $130 million.
Arizona has about 500,000 undocumented workers centered mainly in agriculture (59 percent), construction (27 percent), manufacturing (35 percent) and service industries (34 percent). They comprise about 15 percent of the Arizona workforce. Right now the unemployment rate in Arizona is a low 3.3 percent, debunking the myth that immigrants are stealing jobs from U.S. citizens.
Egged on by right-wing radio pundits and racist demagogues, a racist counter attack has been mounted to strike out at the millions of immigrants who recently poured into the streets by the millions, demanding justice, legalization and basic equality.
The capitalist politicians from both the Republican and Democratic parties have cowered in front of the racist onslaught, unwilling to stand up for basic human rights and against xenophobia and racism.
However, the resurgence of struggle by this vast community will, as before, push forward the overall struggle for justice. The cause is great and grounded in the fight for equality. It will not go away.
