Illegal immigrants fleeing Az for Texas?

The Associated Press
Published: 02.04.2008

HOUSTON - Illegal immigrants are coming into Texas, but not from where one might think.

The rush is coming from Arizona, Oklahoma and other states, places that recently passed tough anti-illegal immigrant laws.

The two toughest measures are in Arizona and Oklahoma.

Effective Jan. 1, the Arizona law suspended the business license of employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. On a second offense, the license is revoked.

The Oklahoma statute, which took effect in November, makes it a crime to transport, harbor or hire illegal immigrants.

Anecdotal information seems to indicate that illegal immigrants are leaving these states in growing numbers.

"They're really tightening the screws," said Mario Ortiz, an illegal Mexican worker who came to Houston after leaving Phoenix last year. "There have been a lot coming. It could be 100 a day."

In Tulsa, Okla., the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has estimated 15,000 to 25,000 illegal immigrants have left the area. One builder estimated 30 percent of the Hispanic work force left Tulsa.