Is Arizona's immigration law already a success?
Illegal immigrants are reportedly rushing to get out of Arizona before the state's tough new law takes effect. Proof of concept, say supporters

Illegal immigrants are reportedly fleeing Arizona this week, trying to avoid getting caught when the state's tough new immigration law takes effect on Thursday, making it a crime to be in the state without proper papers and requiring police to investigate suspected violators. Does the exodus mean that the law is already working, or that it's creating the injustices and chaos that critics feared? (Watch a local report about fleeing immigrants)
This proves the government can stop illegal immigration if it tries: If Arizona lawmakers were aiming to "encourage illegal immigrants to leave Arizona," says Ed Morrissey in Hot Air, "they may claim success even before the first law-enforcement records check takes place." This just proves that if the Obama administration "took its job seriously rather than look to pander to Hispanic voters with its deliberate incompetence on immigration enforcement, the issue would mostly resolve itself with little effort."
"Is Arizona's law working already?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Creating fear of discrimination is nothing to celebrate: Of course people are fleeing Arizona and moving to more friendly states, says Randall Amster in The Huffington Post. With their unnecessarily "harsh" law, the state's lawmakers have told "nonwhites that they are unwelcome." Immigrants from neighboring Mexico and elsewhere, legal and illegal, know they'll soon be the victims of racial profiling.
"Phoenix, we have a problem ..."
Let's not overstate the law's effects: Yes, "immigrants are fleeing state," says Eve Conant in Newsweek. But there are other factors at play, including beefed up federal border enforcement and the tougher U.S. job market. Gov. Jan Brewer and the law's other proponents should consider the big picture before claiming credit for "clearing Arizona of illegal immigrants."
"Immigrants flee Arizona as faith groups and lawyers descend"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
UK-India trade deal: how the social security arrangements will work
The Explainer A National Insurance exemption in the UK-India trade deal is causing concern but should British workers worry?
-
Man arrested after 'suspicious' fires at properties linked to Keir Starmer
Speed Read Prime minister thanks emergency services after fire at his former family home in north London
-
Elon Musk's SpaceX has created a new city in Texas
under the radar Starbase is home to SpaceX's rocket launch site
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy