Protest, Boycott Target Illegal Immigrant Laws

More than 500 protesters gathered at the Arizona Capitol while others boycotted work Tuesday to protest state laws and proposals that they say make life difficult for illegal immigrants.

The work boycott affected some businesses in the Phoenix area, including restaurants that either shut down or offered limited fare because of staff shortages. It wasn’t clear how many business were involved.

“We don’t want to break anybody’s back,” said boycott organizer Elias Bermudez. “We want to make sure that if the sales went down 10% or 15%, that means that there can be consequences if we continue to have, unfortunately, these type of laws against us and against the poor people.”

Bermudez said Americans had essentially invited immigrants into the country by offering them construction, agricultural and service industry jobs.

“Every time you allow somebody to mow your lawn and you don’t ask for papers, you have invited them,” Bermudez said. “Every time you allow somebody to bus your table, you have invited them.”

Bermudez said he doubted the boycott would change the minds of lawmakers who supported anti-immigrant proposals.

Arizona lawmakers are considering a proposal to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending adult education classes, receiving child care assistance and having in-state tuition status at public universities. Another bill would bar local governments from putting taxpayer money into day labor centers that help find work for illegal immigrants.

The bills followed a ballot initiative approved by voters in November that required proof of immigration status when obtaining certain government services, and proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

The ballot measure was aimed at cutting back on illegal immigration in Arizona, the busiest illegal entry point on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Among the protesters who spent much of the day at the Capitol were people wearing uniforms from fast food restaurants. One man carried a sign that read, “Mexicans are necessary.”