Major Suckage for Texas

RIVERWIDOW · 02-12-2008, 12:15 PM

This sucks...All states need to buckle down. Not just a few.

HOUSTON -- Illegal immigrants are coming into Texas, but not from where one might think.

The rush is coming from Arizona, Oklahoma and other states -- places that have recently passed tough new anti-illegal immigrant laws.

The two toughest measures are in Arizona and Oklahoma.

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.

------

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com

renovation · 02-12-2008, 12:40 PM

i feel that we new stiffer laws to stop the flow of Illegal immigrants . and im sorry they are having to leave . but i also know if it were not for these Illegal immigrants there a lot of jobs that are being done that wouldn't . the farming of crops and landscaping . some high risk manual jobs like painting of flag poles , window washing high rise buildings , other construction jobs, we as Americans have become to dependent on Illegal immigrants .to do the jobs that we feel dont pay us a livable salary. or to degrading (dirt a job) so they come here and are will to do the work. but if farmers had to pay what we as Americans think we should receive . they not be able to sell there crops and it rot in the fields.now we have Mexicans in the 1800s we had slaves that had to do the work. next we be making the mentally challenge do these jobs.

Maarchk · 02-12-2008, 04:50 PM

So we are slowly shifting the immigrants around. I guess thats the solution since it seems like the national government is not really doing much as a whole besides debating what its going to do. Eventually, perhaps all 50 states will have stiffer laws and that will take care of the issues at hand.
The cost of things will go up as we will have to pay legal workers more than illegal workers.
We will also reduce demand across the country for housing, food, vehicles and other basic goods and services. This should lower the cost of such items if there is not such a big demand. It is highly doubtful that these two numbers will intersect to say that everything is gonna be just fine. But they should be opposing forces. And if, as is the case here, it happens a state at a time instead of one large nation wide immigration sweep, prices shouldn't change too dramatically on any one good or item in a short period of time.

MrGreg · 02-12-2008, 05:14 PM

I would be interested to see if this has any effect on the economies of bordering states with different laws. i.e. will this help Arizona and Oklahoma while hurting Texas, or vise versa.

pain2010 · 02-17-2008, 07:24 AM

They should all go to jail!!!!!!!!! I have lost jobs and so have my freinds. I am losing my business that i have built for the last 5 years or so. If their legale thats fine.

uncledaddy · 02-17-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pain2010

They should all go to jail!!!!!!!!! I have lost jobs and so have my freeinds. I am lossing my business that i have bulit for the last 5 years or so. If their leagle thats fine.

leagle? freeinds? lossing? bulit?

Jenny · 02-17-2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIVERWIDOW

"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.

------

Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com

I have a REAL issue with that statement from Ortiz from the Chronicle. Just because I am against illegal immigration and think something needs to be done about it does NOT make me a racist. Just because I may (or may not, that is not the issue here) agree with the new laws that OK & AZ have issued does NOT make me a racist. Do I hate Mexican people or Hispanic people? No, I don't. Do I dislike people coming here illegally and acting like they are still in Mexico (or wherever), yes. But why would that be racist? I'm all for people becoming citizens and coming here for a better life. America is far from perfect but it is far from the horrible conditions people come from to get her.

Jenny · 02-17-2008, 06:10 PM

Oh, and let me clarify. Maybe I took the quote the wrong way. If he meant something other than the laws that make it hard for me to work are racist, then my rant doesn't make sense. But if that IS what he meant, then I do still have the issue. heh

Maarchk · 02-19-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

Oh, and let me clarify. Maybe I took the quote the wrong way. If he meant something other than the laws that make it hard for me to work are racist, then my rant doesn't make sense. But if that IS what he meant, then I do still have the issue. heh

I don't think you took it the wrong way. Although you said Ortiz of the chronicle. I dont think he was a writer of the paper, just someone quoted for the story. As in probably an illegal immigrant himself.

He's hating cause the law says, gasp, he's illegal and should have the job of legals. Which in his country is very true, americans can't own land or get jobs down there, and they tend to harm people who illegally immigrate from central america.

So clearly mexico is racists... or something..
I wonder how Ortiz will feel when all states outlaw him. Will all Americans be racist?

YellowCoffee · 02-19-2008, 06:54 PM

As much as I naturally lean towards stricter border enforcement, I can't help but ask myself why these workers will come to a country that does not welcome them. I don't necessarilly blame the illegal immigrants. They just want to make a fraction of what everybody in the states are making. There are basically no practical opportunities in their hometown. I mean, what would everyone else do if they were in that situation?

02-12-2008, 12:15 PM	#1
RIVERWIDOW Commander Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Land of fruits and nuts Posts: 1,124	Major Suckage for Texas This sucks...All states need to buckle down. Not just a few. HOUSTON -- Illegal immigrants are coming into Texas, but not from where one might think. The rush is coming from Arizona, Oklahoma and other states -- places that have recently passed tough new anti-illegal immigrant laws. The two toughest measures are in Arizona and Oklahoma. 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. ------ Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com __________________ My grandkids are cuter than yours ! Rock on Chargers ! Lets go Padres !! All the way in 2009

02-12-2008, 12:40 PM	#2
renovation Admiral Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail Posts: 5,029	i feel that we new stiffer laws to stop the flow of Illegal immigrants . and im sorry they are having to leave . but i also know if it were not for these Illegal immigrants there a lot of jobs that are being done that wouldn't . the farming of crops and landscaping . some high risk manual jobs like painting of flag poles , window washing high rise buildings , other construction jobs, we as Americans have become to dependent on Illegal immigrants .to do the jobs that we feel dont pay us a livable salary. or to degrading (dirt a job) so they come here and are will to do the work. but if farmers had to pay what we as Americans think we should receive . they not be able to sell there crops and it rot in the fields.now we have Mexicans in the 1800s we had slaves that had to do the work. next we be making the mentally challenge do these jobs. __________________ You could pick up Lindsay Lohan for less than a intel 990x, and still have money left over to bail her outta jail

02-12-2008, 04:50 PM	#3
Maarchk Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Where the east meets the west. Posts: 3,066	So we are slowly shifting the immigrants around. I guess thats the solution since it seems like the national government is not really doing much as a whole besides debating what its going to do. Eventually, perhaps all 50 states will have stiffer laws and that will take care of the issues at hand. The cost of things will go up as we will have to pay legal workers more than illegal workers. We will also reduce demand across the country for housing, food, vehicles and other basic goods and services. This should lower the cost of such items if there is not such a big demand. It is highly doubtful that these two numbers will intersect to say that everything is gonna be just fine. But they should be opposing forces. And if, as is the case here, it happens a state at a time instead of one large nation wide immigration sweep, prices shouldn't change too dramatically on any one good or item in a short period of time. __________________ "The girl is crafty like ice is cold." "I left my heart in san francisco... And my liver at Moe's Tavern." A real friend is one who listens to you as much as they talk to you.

02-12-2008, 05:14 PM	#4
MrGreg Captain Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,529	I would be interested to see if this has any effect on the economies of bordering states with different laws. i.e. will this help Arizona and Oklahoma while hurting Texas, or vise versa. __________________ -The nerd formerly known as vectorcalculus

02-17-2008, 07:24 AM	#5
pain2010 Lieutenant Junior Grade Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in the dog house. Posts: 129	They should all go to jail!!!!!!!!! I have lost jobs and so have my freinds. I am losing my business that i have built for the last 5 years or so. If their legale thats fine. Last edited by pain2010 : 02-17-2008 at 06:11 PM.

02-17-2008, 06:10 PM	#8
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	Oh, and let me clarify. Maybe I took the quote the wrong way. If he meant something other than the laws that make it hard for me to work are racist, then my rant doesn't make sense. But if that IS what he meant, then I do still have the issue. heh

02-19-2008, 06:54 PM	#10
YellowCoffee Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 411	As much as I naturally lean towards stricter border enforcement, I can't help but ask myself why these workers will come to a country that does not welcome them. I don't necessarilly blame the illegal immigrants. They just want to make a fraction of what everybody in the states are making. There are basically no practical opportunities in their hometown. I mean, what would everyone else do if they were in that situation?

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