FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's already working.
Arizona's tough new immigration law doesn't even go into effect for another seven weeks, but lots of the state's 460,000 illegal aliens are leaving now.
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USA Today reports that records from schools, businesses and individuals suggest that many worried legal and illegal Latinos are fleeing Arizona.
Schools in Latino neighborhoods show big drops in enrollment.
In one elementary school, 70 kids have been pulled out by their parents in just the last month... that's compared to seven students who left the school in the same period last year.
The superintendent says "they're leaving to another state where they feel more welcome."
That was pretty much the point of the Arizona law, wasn't it?
The new law requires police to ask for immigration papers if someone is stopped for another crime - you know, just like police ask for your driver's license when you're stopped for a traffic violation.
Businesses that serve primarily Latino areas say things are much slower.
The head of a chamber of commerce for Hispanic business owners says it's because illegal immigrants are holding onto cash as they prepare to leave the state.
Other small business owners say they will have to move elsewhere because business is "completely dead."
Governor Jan Brewer's office says it's hard to know how many people are leaving because of the law; but she says "if that means that fewer people are breaking the law, that is absolutely an accomplishment."
In 2007, when Arizona passed another law that imposed tougher penalties on businesses that hired illegal aliens - about 100,000 of them left the state.
Here’s my question to you: What's the message if Arizona's new immigration law is causing illegal immigrants to leave the state?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Andrew in Arizona writes:
I am a business owner in Phoenix. I can tell you first-hand Mexicans are leaving the state by the thousands. My business is passport photos and business is up about 300% from this time last year. I talk to these people and they are going to other states in the U.S. and a few are going back to Mexico. Most of the people that are moving have children. They are in fear that they could be separated. I personally am heartbroken by this exodus. This bill is racist and it will hurt Arizona's economy more than it will help, it already has.
Thomas in Arizona writes:
As a resident of Sedona, I hope this law will stop the illegal aliens from stealing our jobs, our schools, our identities, and our property. Let them take their guns and drug deals to their own countries.
Kevin in Dallas writes:
It sends the message that they've found a way to skin a cat. But as you know, there's more than one way to skin a cat. We should keep searching for a more ethical means to an end. But Arizona had to do something to buy themselves some time. Something like 6-7% of the people in Arizona are illegal immigrants.
Rick in Detroit writes:
The illegals probably can't find a job. Many legal residents of Michigan are leaving the state for the same reason.
Hafeez in New York writes:
Jack, The message is: Americans prepare to get up from your lazy butts and start working at the gas stations, pumping gas when it's -20 degree outside, working in car washes in frigid weather, food delivery seven days a week with minimum wages, no health insurance and forget about holidays. Boy, this will be fun.
Carl writes:
Jack, Jan Brewer should run for president, then I feel like tough things would get done and the great sheriff Joe could be the vice president. What a team they would make, the A-Team.
Lene in Illinois writes:
The message is that if you intend to enforce the law, the law will actually work...what a concept!