What Would Happen If All Latinos Left Arizona?

By Simone Hilliard

Latinos make up 30% of Arizona's population and yet yesterday (July 29) the majority minority group was officially ostracized, thanks to Governor Jan Brewer's SB 1070 (though the most controversial sections of the law were blocked on July 28 by Federal Judge Susan Bolton).

With many Latinos up in arms over the decree, we're forced to wonder what would happen to the Republican state if Latinos staged a mass exodus?

A demonstrator shouts into a bullhorn in protest of Arizona's SB1070 immigration-enforcement law in front of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office Thursday, July 29, 2010 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)

Senior researcher Dr. Walter Ewing and research associate Seth Hoy answered that very question after a year long project. Working together, they analyzed and compiled data on every state in the US to track the political and economic impact immigrants have on this country. Arizona's findings may surprise you.

The facts for Arizona show that if all unauthorized immigrants were removed from the state, Arizona would lose $26.4 billion in economic activity, $11.7 billion in gross state product, and approximately 140,324 jobs, according to a Perryman Group report.

Mary Giovagnoli, Director of the Immigration Policy Center, released this statement:

"Whether immigrants comprise a significant component of a state’s population, as [they do] in California, Arizona, New York or Illinois, or a very small percentage of the population as a whole in states such as North and South Dakota, West Virginia or Rhode Island, they, nonetheless, have a surprising positive impact that cannot be ignored.  Armed with this information, the public can make better, more thoughtful decisions about the type of immigration policy they want to see at both the federal and state level."

Narco trafficking aside, why would Brewer alienate 30% of Arizona's population whose economic and politcal contributions could prove detrimental to the state once removed?

Source: [Latina]

Food for thought...Let us know what you think in the comments or @MTV3.