In recent months, Sheriff Joe Arpaio's deputies have swept through day-labor gathering points across the valley for Mexican migrants, conducting crime sweeps aimed at lawbreakers and smuggling rings. While Arpaio’s tough stance may appeal to those frustrated by the increasing number of people crossing the Mexican border illegally into Arizona, some local business leaders worry the immigration battle is creating a negative image for Arizona among tourists and prospective businesses.
Aside from the immigration debate that wages on, the fact remains that Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s raids are costing Arizona taxpayer’s substantial amounts of money at a time when the state itself is in economic turmoil. While Arpaio and his staff defend the sweeps by showing a decrease in crime rates, there remains no data to show that the Sheriff Department’s efforts would have a different effect in areas with lower rates of illegal immigrants. For example, the fact will always be that a higher concentration of law enforcement officials in a given area will deter crime regardless of demographics, making the use of funds seem more for show than effect.
Rick Kidder, of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizes the local economic impact of the Sheriff Department’s raids, stating that, “this style of enforcement will do nothing to improve Arizona's image as a place to move a business, and could tarnish our image as a sophisticated Southwestern business destination. While it may reinforce a Western image of sorts, it does shine a negative light on Arizona.”
As for the effect of Sheriff Joe’s efforts on the already beaten real estate market, the majority of the people who have been deported were residing in the many valley apartment complexes that are now empty. This translates into a need for these apartment complexes to seek new tenants at a time when their most obvious occupants are being forced to leave the country. In turn, the basic economics of supply and demand come into play as the prices of multi-family housing depreciates across the valley.
Investors that were once pouring money into Arizona real estate projects are now unwilling to invest even if they are capable of purchasing the properties at a steep discount. Investors also mention the immigration law as a reason for an unlikely turn around in the real estate market.
Lastly, the revenues that could be created from tourism and the migration of foreign business would be a tremendous source of money for our struggling economy. However, with the tarnished image of Arizona being in the national spotlight, our ability to attract international business seems slim.
The concern that Sheriff Arpaio’s immigration raids are diminishing the region’s efforts to build international trade and attract foreign business is increasing every day. Be that as it may, this criticism has not discouraged the Sheriff from continuing his tactics, nor has diminished the amount of free publicity for the man who is now considering running for Governor.
Comments
YAY Joe! We need more Americans who are true Americans! Not sissy la la la's who want to pat everyone on the head! Go get em joe!
WAAAAAAA the ones who were here illegaly needed to be deported! Oh wait.. I know, just because they can pay rent and take jobs away from Americans, let's just open the gates, well shoot.. let's have daily, no hourly buses that go to Mexico, pick them up and provide them with snacks while we cruise them back to America where they do whatever it is they want to do, rape our children, take our jobs, and whatever else they feel like. Hey why not provide them with some greenhouses too so they can grow pot?
Talking about economy money is money , no matter where it comes from . no one will ask you at the store if you're a racist or gay or stuped to become a customer. the point here, is the way Arpaio is handling the situation and the false propaganda towards blinde people with certain level of stupidity, he knows inmigrants are necesary , you know they are needed , and they are not taking no one's job. are you or any of your children going to work construction or mow lawns aoutside in summertime when the 100's hit ??? is that your actual job ??? wold you take a job like that ??? You know the answer , are you going to cook for someone else or take care of someone else's children ??? NO, you won't ... every single contrubution in economy is necesary in order to make a productive enviroment starting in your own comunity, if people do so the nation will overcome this crisis. Inmigrants contribute to the economy and society in ways you can't imagine , The racism and stupidity is stoping economy
true americans ha ha his last name is italian iam a Navajo, Yaquis are the only true natives of arizona many northern mexicans have yaqui,navajo blood, you so call true americans dont make me laughed you are the real illegals here go back to europe native dont like you
Whoever wrote this crap must have just jumped over the border fence at Nogales. Arpaio busts illegal alien parasites from may countries, not "Mexican migrants," culero. Best get their butts back to wherever they snuck in from before they start spitting out their cherished gangster larvae twice a year on taxpayer's dime. Leeches.
I agree with the article. If this bill is passed and enforced it will be challenged and struck down as other simular cases have been by federal courts.Immigracion matters are the "exclusive right" of the federal government.These sand in the head racist hicksters will be left kissing their own grits.
My last post was in regards to the Arizona- anti- undocumented immigrant bill,which would also affect the economy of Arizona. Sheriff Joe is a joke..he is under the Fed's gun its just a matter of time,before he is indicted for abuse of power,thats of course if the old geezer does not keel over first.
This guy is just another nazi right wing extremist who, like Heinrich Himmler, is using his badge to get off on abusing human beings all the while being "protected" by the state. It's people like this that give the rest of us Americans a bad name!
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