Arizona Immigration Law Prompts San Francisco to Consider Boycott of State

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: In The News ,; Domestic Issues

(Credit: AP)

Lawmakers in San Francisco today will vote on a citywide boycott of the state of Arizona, in protest of its new illegal immigrant law that has spurred a backlash across the country.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday signed into law a measure that would require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally in the country.

Activists and politicians in Arizona and elsewhere have vowed to continue fighting the law. While it is sure to face legal challenges, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) has also called for a boycott of his state's goods, services and tourism. In his call for the boycott, Grijalva cited an Arizona boycott in the 1990's that persuaded the state to recognize Martin Luther King Day.

Following that logic, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors today will consider a resolution that would call for the city to end any and all contracts with Arizona-based companies and to stop doing business with the state, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

"We want to send a message," Supervisor David Campos reportedly said to a rally gathered in front of San Francisco City Hall. "There are consequences when you target a whole people."

Campos said it's still unclear how exactly a boycott would impact San Francisco, the Chronicle reports, but he added, "We do know that we won't be sending any city employees to conferences in Arizona."

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera seconded the call for a boycott, pledging that his office will help identify contracts with Arizona companies and break them when possible.

Arizona Gov. Brewer said Monday at a town hall that she doesn't believe the law is "going to have the kind of economic impact that some people think it might," the Associated Press reports.

There has already been some impact, however. As of Sunday, about 70 drivers from California and Arizona had already agreed to stop moving loads into or out of Arizona in protest of the new law, according to the Arizona Republic.

Additionally, La Opinion, the nation's biggest Spanish-language newspaper, has endorsed the boycott, Politico reports.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also weighed in on the issue last week with a statement saying the new law "could have a chilling effect on international business travel, investment, and tourism in that state, as many people from around the world may think twice before visiting Arizona and subjecting themselves to potential run-ins with the police."

"We're happy to have those businesses and tourists come here," Bloomberg said. "But as a country, America will be badly hurt if more states follow Arizona's lead."

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Will Arizona's Law Lead to Racial Profiling?

More Coverage from Our CBS Station in San Francisco:

Local Video from CBS 5 in San Francisco

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by JenniferLittrell May 24, 2010 2:24 AM EDT: Cast your vote and share your opinion on the New Arizona Immigration Law on this new on-line resource: http://immigration.civiltalks.com/; Reply to this comment


by 13Dennis13 May 1, 2010 6:26 PM EDT: Who runs this country. The Companys that want to boycott Arizona let them if we the people are for that law I say we should boycott the big companys that boycott The state of Arizona And take our Vacations in Arizona I am going to this year.We can't sit back.and complain do something. These people are sucking us tax payers to death. I allso am going to boycott Arizona ice tea for being quick to say we make our ice tea in New York

I believe if EVERY state followed Arizona's lead the illegals would go home on their own (no need to deport them) or for that matter if our federal government enforced the law already on the books, they would go home. It is time for illegals to leave our country. Taxes are going to go high enough just to pay off the new debt Obamacare is going to create let alone continuing to pay for illegals education, housing (can't say illegals don't get help with housing because Obama's auntie proved they do) and healthcare. Time to evict the illegals and start helping American CITIZENS that need it during this recession.; Reply to this comment


by countrycuz1 April 28, 2010 11:07 AM EDT: Stand up and fight for Arizona. The city of San Francisco has declared a boycott of Arizona businesses and travel in reponse to Governor Brewer's and the AZ people's attempt to enforce the law! It's time to fight back. Two can play this game. Below is a short list of San Francisco based businesses which AZ supporters can boycott in response!
Levi Strauss
Bank America
AT&T
Gap
Pac Sun
Old Navy
Wells Fargo; Reply to this comment


by Buffaloeful April 27, 2010 11:44 PM EDT: San Francisco wants to boycott? I say I am more apt to support Arizona now. Heads up Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, California, etc. They going to exit AZ and come to your states.

Here in Oklahoma the law works and I would like to thank Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas and Colorado for taking on our expenses. Illegals left here in masses.; Reply to this comment


by Buffaloeful April 27, 2010 11:41 PM EDT: This same action could already have been enforced basis laws on books since 1952. What does skin color have to do with citizenship status.

If calling people 'racist' is the best you got then I win the argument. 70% of America supports this law, even higher in Arizona.

Racist = I win the argument

Illegal immigration cost the USA $1 trillion per year. California debt problem shows 40% are due to illegals. Where are all the protesting Canadians, Irish, Russians in the photo? Oh, they are law abiding.; Reply to this comment


by TMA2336 April 27, 2010 11:38 PM EDT: Oh please San Francisco......really you all are going to boycott Arizona? Well, I live in California and I plan to visit family in Arizona....and I would much rather not see any of you liberal socialists there anyway. Pelosi, Boxer, and Feinstein are all products of our ultra liberal state....they're on their way out so suffice to say who cares if you don't visit Arizona. At least they have the courage to do something that is plaguing their criminal justice system. All we do in California is hand out more free goodies to those who don't care to work and offer civil liberties to illegal criminal gang-bangers who contribute nothing but crime to our state. So by all means, seriously, stay here I would venture to say the people of Arizona probably don't want to see you anyway.; Reply to this comment


by tij12345 April 27, 2010 11:32 PM EDT: Haven't you read what Arizona is going through? Human smuggling of illegal immigrants to the US through the Arizona. Drug cartels that involve kidnapping, murder, weapons, aliens impersonating Arizona police and taking over homes, war zones between the law enforcement and the cartels, traitors within the law enforcement agency supplying the drug cartels with information, gun shops in Arizona supplying the drug cartels with weapons, etc. Arizona asked the Federal Government for help and they ignore them.

It is like a child going "Mother/father, I have been raped several times. Help me." Then Mother Napolitano says illegal crossing of the border is NOT a crime. What the heck will the child do- she is being raped everyday from left and right. So she took the matters in her own hands to protect herself from the rapist by checking if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is a rapist without compromising the freedom of the other people. Then San Francisco goes, BOO to the girl who is being raped. PUNISH her and do not pay your taxes so her schools will close down and she does not get educated.

That is very cruel. Arizona repeatedly said that they have no intention to racially profile because it is against the law. Yet, Mexico, illegal aliens, SF are charging them that they will racially profile. Really. SF is the most cruel people. If you don't support the bill, then help ARIZONA find a solution. Help the girl find a solution to being raped everyday.; Reply to this comment

by Natelina April 27, 2010 8:51 PM EDT

In redneck Arizona you need to poof citizenship, that will be carrying a gun or Minuteman membership (just like the rest of the locals).
Yikes! forget the Grand Canyon, Cedona, and any other good places I used to visit.

Reply to this comment


by AZgramps August 11, 2010 6:33 AM EDT: See you in Cedona, if I can figure out where it is. 'Poof' citizenship is what you can purchase in downtown Phoenix for $75 for a three pack, including counterfiet SS card, driver's license and green card. For $125 you get a four pack, which includes a fake birth certificate, probably just like Obama's. Check out the AZ Republic's undercover story from 2009.

by jdfan36 April 27, 2010 7:55 PM EDT

Why does Nazi Germany immediately spring to mind???? Is that what we've come to in this country?

"require immigrants to carry documents verifying their immigration status. It would also require police officers to question a person about his or her immigration status if there is "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally in the country."

Reply to this comment


by greebns April 27, 2010 8:45 PM EDT: I really don't see what the big deal is. You carry a driver's license, don't you? People should have identification documents to prove who they are. Do you scream at the bank teller when they ask to see your license when you deposit a check?


by motheroftriplets April 28, 2010 8:49 PM EDT: Even if someone from another country is here legally, one has to carry a Green Card, visa, Passport, etc. Why are you making this law such a big deal? What were you taught in school to be so compassionate for the illegal aliens and so thoughtless of the U.S. citizens who have to deal with the influx of illegals. Go volunteer in Mexico to make their country better if you have such a big heart.

by ianlou April 27, 2010 6:27 PM EDT

Last week Arizona made it legal for anyone to carry a gun without a permit. This week they passed a law requiring anyone who looks illegal to carry proof that they aren't. What?s next? A law allowing Arizonans to shoot anyone who they feel threatened by as long as they can also prove that they suspected the person they shot was an illegal?
Good thing everyone will be packing just in case.

Question, now that Arizona requires illegals to have papers, is Arizona planning to pass a law (with teeth) requiring Arizona employers to possess a copy of these papers, or else? Or did the Arizona Chamber of Commerce step on that idea.

Reply to this comment


by AZgramps August 11, 2010 6:48 AM EDT: The employers only need to check out 'new hires' and a lot of illegals have been here over several years. The law only requires the employers to check out citizenship with the electronic system which is flawed. A fake id, stolen identity, will pass through without a glitch. If an illegal purchases the $75 i.d. three pack in downtown Phoenix, they are home free. That is how Arpaio arrests the illegals. He arrests them for having stolen or fake id's. There is more than one way to skin an illegal. My question is why haven't they taken amnesty when it was offered or why have they not sought out legal status? Could it be because they get all the rights and privledges of a citizen, or more, without needing to pay? I would love to not pay taxes on most of my earnings if any at all.