Illegal Immigration Policies – State of Arizona

Illegal Immigration – A social problem

• Illegal immigration enforcement costs the state of Arizona in both dollars and resources. *A 2004 study by FAIR estimates this cost to be $1.3 billion per year.

• Community leaders have called this enforcement racial profiling and a waste of tax-payer dollars.

* http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/2460/Cost-Immigration-COST-ILLEGAL-IMMIGRATION-TOSOUTHWEST-BORDER-COUNTIES.html

Theoretical Framework of Analyzing Social Problem of Illegal Immigration

• Human Labour-Power Theory

• Labeling Theory• Division of Labor

Theory

Human Labour-Power – Karl Marx

• Defined as the ability of a person to do work.

• The worker can sell their labour-power for a salary

Division of Labor – Adam Smith

• Defined as one person focused on a single aspect of production

• Focusing on a single aspect is said to increase production and productivity

• Examples of these specialized workers include framers, masons, concrete workers, etc.

Labeling – Howard Becker

• Defined as someone / group labeling someone else’s behavior as bad.

• Labeling can cause individuals / groups to become isolated, identified as criminals and undermine their self-wealth

Impact / Effects of Illegal Immigration Enforcement

• Economic/production stress is large

• Sense of racism in the law

• Splitting of communities

• Current economic situation, including recession, has caused the cost & impact of illegal immigration to be more highly magnetized and scrutinized.

• Applicability of theories significantly different today as compared to ten years ago.

Enforcement has caused significant social problems…

• Mistrust amongst people, communities and the government.

• Decrease and/or lack of revenue generation from jobs historically only filled by illegal immigrants.

References• Becker, H (1963) Studies in the sociology of deviance. The Free

Press.• Case tests Arizona illegal-immigrant law. (2009, November 19). The Washington Times.• Davenport, P. and Billeaud, J. (2008, February 8). Ariz. Law

prohibiting illegal immigrant hires upheld. USATODAY. • Maricopa County Sheriff Office Joe Arpaio (WWW.MCSO.ORG)• Rius. (1976). Marx for Beginners. New York: Pantheon Books.• Smith, A. (1776). The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Retrieved September 28, 2009, from ASU weekly course material