UPDATED: the economics of immigration and undocumented taxpayers Read Here
According to KPHO, CBS affiliate in Phoenix, business leaders have signed an “Arizona Accord” on immigration policy:
Many Arizona business leaders are hoping for a change in the way lawmakers create immigration policy.
Tuesday, (January 24) business, civic and community leaders gathered at the Arizona state capitol to sign what’s called the “Arizona Accord.” It’s a list of five broad principles intended to guide legislators and policy makers at both state and federal levels as they create immigration reform.
“Until we have a civil dialogue around immigration, we’re not going to find a solution and this really lays the groundwork for a civil discourse on a very heated topic,” said Julie Erfle, whose husband was killed by an undocumented immigrant in Arizona
A DECLARATION OF FIVE PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE ARIZONA’S IMMIGRATION DISCUSSION
FEDERAL SOLUTIONS Immigration is a federal policy issue between the U.S. government & other countries, not Arizona and other countries. We urge Arizona’s congressional delegation, and others, to lead efforts to strengthen federal laws and protect our national borders. We urge state leaders to adopt reasonable policies addressing immigrants in Arizona.
LAW ENFORCEMENT We respect the rule of law & support law enforcement’s professional judgment and discretion. Local law enforcement resources should focus on criminal activities, not civil violations of federal code.
FAMILIES Strong families are the foundation of successful communities. We oppose policies that would unnecessarily separate families. We champion policies that support families and improve the health, education and well-being of all Arizona children.
ECONOMY Arizona is best served by a free-market philosophy that maximizes individual freedom and opportunity. We acknowledge the economic role immigrants play as workers and taxpayers. Arizona’s immigration policies must reaffirm our global reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly state.
A FREE SOCIETY Immigrants are integrated into communities across Arizona. We must adopt a humane approach to this reality, reflecting our unique culture, history & spirit of inclusion. The way we treat immigrants will say more about us as a free society and less about our immigrant neighbors. Arizona should always be a place that welcomes people of goodwill.
A similar statement was produced in Utah according to the Phoenix New Times
As I anticipated in a blog item late last year, the Arizona version of the Utah Compact, called the “Arizona Accord,” was introduced to the public at the state Capitol yesterday. It argues for a rational, humane approach to immigration reform.
The accord’s statement of principles, … mirrors almost word for word those of the Utah Compact, which was issued in November 2010, in advance of efforts by Utah legislators to pass a copycat of Arizona’s breathing-while-brown statute Senate Bill 1070