Residents reflect on illegal immigration issue

The draining impact of illegal aliens on the nation's economy has many people in the Sun Cities demanding that something be done to keep the immigrants from continuing to siphon money from health-care and education programs.

Sun City and Sun City West residents are not alone as the issue continues to be pushed to the forefront of many demonstrations, political campaigns and expanding enforcement efforts.

Experts and activists on both sides of the issue point to a number of factors contributing to the toxic environment - the slowing economy, fear of losing jobs, and the fiery rhetoric used by the nation's political leadership.

"These kinds of things are unsettling for many people, and it's a natural human tendency to create an us versus them," said Jane Gans, program director for the University of Arizona Center for Studies in Public Policy.

Some residents of Sun City and Sun City West said Monday they are tired of footing the bill for illegal immigration.

Phyllis Alu of Sun City said the impact illegal immigration has on the economy is a major concern.

"I feel sorry that we have to pay taxes to put these guys in jail or to deport them," she said. "It's costing us billions of dollars a year, and I think it's unfair to us."

Sally Jones of Sun City said she was in favor of closing the border completely as a means of stopping the financial burden to taxpayers.

"They're costing us so much money in our tax dollars. We're paying out so much money for babies being born, for food, plus the kids are coming in here going into our education system. I had to pay for my children to go to college. Now, if you're an illegal, you can get right into college. Is that fair to me as a taxpayer," she said. "(The government) should close the border, tight as can be."

Sun City resident James Weakley is concerned with the drain on the health-care system that illegal immigration causes.

"They come over and go to our hospitals, and we pay for that. They don't ever pay any of it back. Where's this money coming from," he said. "(The government) has a lot of programs in place ... let's just activate one and go with it. Let's do something about it."

As a retired police officer, Weakley said a major problem with law enforcement comes from the inability to communicate with immigrants who fail to learn English.

"I have a problem with them not speaking English," he said "We need to go with a common language."

Legal immigration was not an issue for several residents who were sympathetic to the advantages the United States offers. Sun City West resident Bill Kinney said as long as immigrants follow the proper laws in coming here, he has no problem with immigration.

"I think (the government) should make the legals all right, and the illegals should go back home and wait their turn like everybody else," he said.

Sun City West resident Frank Perry agreed.

"I don't care if they come in legally, that's how I got here," he said, adding that he was opposed to illegal immigration because of the cost to taxpayers.

"They're costing us a lot of money economically. Obviously (the government) should tighten up the border (in that regard)."

Rusty Childress, founder of United for a Sovereign America, said that a do-nothing Congress is one of the key issues that continues to draw people to his group.

But Childress, who owns an auto dealership, said he believes the media's coverage of immigration also adds to the rage.

"You don't see stories about the lack of illegal immigration enforcement," he said. "They're not there or if they are they're hard to find."

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is continuing his crime suppression sweeps, aimed at picking up people in the country illegally, in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods, and police as well as protesters are gearing up for the demonstrations that go along with Arpaio's operations to turn violent.

The sweeps are announced and promoted along with details of where deputies will be patrolling, and protesters from all sides of the issue show up. Many carry guns, police say, creating a volatile situation.

Last month, during one of the sheriff's sweeps in Guadalupe, a group of people supporting Arpaio could be seen shouting racial slurs and antagonizing Hispanic residents. In Phoenix, near Cave Creek and Bell roads, another group incited a pro-immigrant crowd during a protest by desecrating a Mexican flag.

Salvador Reza, an immigrant rights activist, said they were able to keep that incident from escalating, but added he's unsure whether it will be possible in the future.

"It's getting very hard to tell people not to confront them," he said. "We can't control the anger anymore." Likewise, those opposed to illegal immigration also fear the likelihood of violence.

"They got guns, we've got guns and the sheriff's got guns," said Michelle Dallacroce, founder of "Mothers Against Illegal Aliens. "It's not a good thing."