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Will AZ immigrant ruling give SD economic boost?

Supreme Court decision in Arizona case could prompt immigrants to move.

Roger Showley, U-T SAN DIEGO

Friday, June 29, 2012

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Kelly Cunningham, National University System
Answer: NO

The effect will likely be minimal since the decision did not change how Arizona was already handling suspected immigrants. Job opportunities drying up, as well as stricter enforcement of immigration, are already causing out-migration. The illegal population in Arizona reportedly declined 23 percent from 470,000 to 360,000 since enforcement of SB 1070 began in 2010. Illegal immigrants were also found to be more attracted to states such as California opposed to the provisions, but it is difficult to conceive many more "worried workers" moving where job opportunities are also less apparent, and lower immigration, as well as out-migration is already occurring.