'If these workers leave, it's going to hurt the economy and put the state at an economic disadvantage with other states,' said Judith Gans, program manager for immigration policy at the University of Arizona's Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

A study released by the center in July concluded that economic output would drop annually by at least $29 billion, or 8.2 percent, if all non-citizens, which include undocumented workers, were removed from Arizona's workforce. About 14 percent of the state's 2.6 million workers are foreign-born, and about two-thirds to three-fourths of non-citizens are undocumented, she said.

Several key industries in Arizona, including construction, manufacturing and agriculture, depend heavily on immigrants, legal and illegal, to fill gaps in the workforce, especially in low-skill jobs, she said.

The labor shortages are due to a native-born population that is aging and more highly educated and therefore doesn't produce enough low-skilled workers to meet growing demand. As a result, immigrants are doing jobs that Americans won't do and that Americans aren't available to do, she said.

'The frustration (with illegal immigration) is understandable,' Gans said. But Arizona risks shooting itself in the foot 'when it tries to take matters into its own hands.'

Pearce doesn't buy that. He believes the state can easily do without undocumented workers. Although there may be some short-term economic disruptions, the free market will adjust in the long run, he said.

'Whatever adjustment takes place in the market, it will be worth it,' Pearce said.

--Immigration hard-liners cheer, but economic fallout begins,

WHY? Why is whatever happens to the USA's economy (and that means people suffering in various ways, not just a dent in the rear quarter panel of some tinny and vague entity titled "Thee 'aconomy") "worth it"? As long as this idea of "Getting the Aliens Out" is fulfilled? What is this sentiment that even if our entire nation is upended with dysfunction, it is better than now? Do these types imagine they will be happier...richer...saner? If only the Damned Mexican Menace would finally vaporize into a vanilla-scented puff of fragrance never to be heard of again.

Look at that family again. Look at the menace that MUST GO, that if gone, would make any of our social problems arising from kicking them out worth it.

These people don't come here to set up crooked corporate empires that rake in millions while they spy on their customers or tiny spinach governments that premptively bomb nations...they come to live, to work, to have children that run and eat and play and sleep safely. That's what they want. And they don't come to take it from us. But lord if enough of us aren't clamoring to make sure they are denied their chance.

Amerrrrrica, Amerrrrica, God Shed His Grace on Theeeeeeeee....

I wouldn't wish hardship on anybody and I don't want the economy to go south, but maybe we need a jolt to show people what's going on," Burns said.

In a way I have to agree. Good. Let it all crash, then. You can't have it both ways. Keep it up, make them all run, make them all leave. And let the New Depression come down upon us. Let there be no doubt of what's up.

You don't get to benefit from cheap labor and all the fruits of that labor and still vilifiy the hands doing the labor. Mexican immigrants, undocumented, are often exploited at work, unable or fearful of using any public services, suffering in bad health, blamed for the USA's crime and decaying culture, taken for their taxes, and all the while making the engines run. Enough.

Perhaps we do need a "jolt." Perhaps many will suffer, on both "sides." But then we can get this sorted out and give these people some rights, some justice, some safety for CHRIST's sake. This is disgusting.They are working hard and we are benefitting. PERIOD. Give them some respect. It doesn't matter if you know you are benefitting, you ARE. WE are.

We rest on the arm of a giant who has long-running methodology of exploitation and derision and persecution of the same people. Over years and years and years. Some of us have learned from the Civil Rights Era or at least from peeking into history books. Too many remain blissfully ignorant of the most important lessons. Not to mentioned possessed of a very strange and simplistic view of our economy and the cause and effect of this type of persecution, not just in terms of finance, but on every level.

Enough of that. It's time to wake up to cause and effect.

sombrero tip to rafa