Research Paper
Jason Snyder
Dr. Miller
Writing 121
April 30, 2014
What is the impact on Arizona's economy due to anti-immigration Senate Bill 1070? Nearly half (47%) of all illegal border crossings into the U.S. occur along the Arizona border with Mexico. As the state with the most illegal crossings t the United States/Mexico border, its remote and dangerous deserts are the entry point for thousands of Mexicans and Central Americans(Cooper). The non-native citizen population has grown rapidly in this area. Arizona had an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants in April 2010, a figure that had increased fivefold since 1990.(Cooper). Illegal immigration, like most other issues has an upside and a downside. On the upside, there is a steady workforce for the labor industry (agriculture, construction, etc.), and the service industry (restaurants). The agricultural industry in Arizona is comprised of 59% immigrants, the construction industry is made up of 27% workers not native to the United States, and the service industry is populated by 22% foreign born employees. On the downside, illegal immigration brings its share of problems including crime, poverty, uncirculated funds (pay not reintroduced into the economy in which it was originated), and an overburden on social services. It is the latter that sparked the now controversial Senate Bill 1070 that effectively closes the border to all but the few lucky enough to obtain legal status. The major sponsor of, and legislative force behind the bill was State Senator Russell Pearce, who had long been one of Arizona's most vocal opponents of illegal immigration.(Rossi) Senator Pearce had a long history of fighting illegal immigration in Arizona, until he was the first Senator recalled by the people of Arizona in November 2011, just 1 year and 7 months after Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into act in April of 2010. As Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said at the bill-signing: "Border-related violence and crime due to illegal
Dr. Miller
Writing 121
April 30, 2014
What is the impact on Arizona's economy due to anti-immigration Senate Bill 1070? Nearly half (47%) of all illegal border crossings into the U.S. occur along the Arizona border with Mexico. As the state with the most illegal crossings t the United States/Mexico border, its remote and dangerous deserts are the entry point for thousands of Mexicans and Central Americans(Cooper). The non-native citizen population has grown rapidly in this area. Arizona had an estimated 460,000 illegal immigrants in April 2010, a figure that had increased fivefold since 1990.(Cooper). Illegal immigration, like most other issues has an upside and a downside. On the upside, there is a steady workforce for the labor industry (agriculture, construction, etc.), and the service industry (restaurants). The agricultural industry in Arizona is comprised of 59% immigrants, the construction industry is made up of 27% workers not native to the United States, and the service industry is populated by 22% foreign born employees. On the downside, illegal immigration brings its share of problems including crime, poverty, uncirculated funds (pay not reintroduced into the economy in which it was originated), and an overburden on social services. It is the latter that sparked the now controversial Senate Bill 1070 that effectively closes the border to all but the few lucky enough to obtain legal status. The major sponsor of, and legislative force behind the bill was State Senator Russell Pearce, who had long been one of Arizona's most vocal opponents of illegal immigration.(Rossi) Senator Pearce had a long history of fighting illegal immigration in Arizona, until he was the first Senator recalled by the people of Arizona in November 2011, just 1 year and 7 months after Governor Jan Brewer signed SB1070 into act in April of 2010. As Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said at the bill-signing: "Border-related violence and crime due to illegal