Posted: Apr 26, 2010 12:07 AM
Updated: Apr 26, 2010 12:07 AM
TUCSON - After the passage of Senate Bill 1070, some local businesses now fear it will put a halt to patrons coming into Tucson from out of state and out of the country.
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon at El Minuto Cafe downtown, after big business Saturday from an annual mariachi conference.
"They've been coming for years and years," said El Minuto owner Teresa Shaar.
Shaar says some of the groups from California mentioned they will not likely return next year because of the new immigration bill.
"We don't want to be seen as such a racist state where people don't want to come here or be afraid to," Shaar said.
The loss of out-of-state customers is not the only fear.
"We're concerned about Mexican tourism in our state," said Lea Marquez Peterson with the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Peterson says they will keep a watchful eye over their members during the transition.
"What that repercussion on the business community we're not sure yet," Peterson said Sunday.
"It's going to hurt...everyone," said customer Johanna Duran.
Duran says this bill will hurt an already struggling economy.
"We have a lot of people that come across the border to buy here in Tucson. They're always buying here, the malls are full. Will they have to be carrying their paperwork everywhere they go? It's not fair," Duran said.
But Senator John McCain addressed fears of the bill at a town hall meeting on Saturday, saying he understands Governor Brewer had to do something to combat illegal immigration. He also says he feels more confident after talking with local law enforcement that racial profiling will not be an issue.
"I know of no one in Arizona, there may be someone but I haven't met him...that wants to be racist, that wants to discriminate against anyone, who wants to take away or harm anyone's rights. But the people who live in our state have rights too," Senator McCain said.
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