Sonora to seek aid for workers fleeing Arizona

Lawmakers voice concern over impact of sanctions law
By Mariana Alvarado Avalos
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

A delegation of politicians from Sonora will travel to Mexico City next week seeking help to house and feed workers fleeing Arizona because of the new employer-sanctions law.

"We're going to demand resources," said Irma Villalobos, a state legislator who heads the commission of border affairs in Sonora.

Over the past week, in meetings in Tucson, Phoenix and Nogales, Sonora, Mexican politicians have received reports of workers "self-deporting" and landing in border communities.

The full effect of the voter-approved law, which requires Arizona employers to verify a worker's eligibility to be in the U.S., is troublesome and unknown for Mexican lawmakers along the border.

"We have yet to feel the full impact, but the moment (immigrants) leave Arizona, we're going to have problems," said Enrique Flores López, director of the state migrant advocacy department in Sonora.

Mexican lawmakers have collected anecdotes about crowded classrooms and more people roaming the streets of downtown Nogales, Sonora, in search of assistance, said Nogales legislator Leticia Amparano, who met with Arizona lawmakers to learn more about the new law and its enforcement.

Sonora's Gov. Eduardo Bours, meanwhile, says Mexico must do more than point a finger of blame at the U.S.

He launched the initiative "Migrantes Trabajando" ("Working Migrants") for deported countrymen who want to stay in Sonora. The program is designed to assist all deported workers, not just those from Arizona.