This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

TEMPE, Ariz. - As Utah debates how to treat undocumented immigrants, Arizona is watching new laws and an economic downturn drive away those workers, likely sending many to Utah.

No one knows how many people have left Arizona since that state's latest immigration law, which penalizes employers for hiring undocumented workers, became effective Jan. 1. But with Arizona once having an undocumented immigrant population estimated at 400,000 or more, Utah stands to receive at least some of those who are now fleeing the state.

"We have received anecdotal information where people are being invited to go to Utah, specifically Ogden and some of the communities outside of Salt Lake City," said Edmundo Hidalgo, president of Chicanos Por La Causa, which promotes education and economic development in Arizona. "The primary attraction is quality of life. People view those communities as having high family values."

Reza Athari, an immigration attorney who practices in Utah and Nevada, said people leaving Arizona have come to him asking about their legal options. Some people have had to close businesses in Arizona, he said, and some "were concerned with being profiled as undocumented even though they were documented."

Economics make Utah the most attractive local choice. Arizona's unemployment rate in December was 4.7 percent. Utah's was 3.3 percent, by far the lowest among states bordering Arizona.

The employer law's chief supporter, Russell Pearce, a state representative from Mesa, Ariz., said legislators discussed whether the law would push undocumented immigrants to Arizona's neighbors. But Russell said lawmakers were looking out for Arizona.

"We certainly don't apologize," Pearce said. "Arizona is not going to be a sanctuary state for illegal employers or illegal aliens," he said.

The employer law was the latest Arizona effort to curb illegal immigration. In 2006, Arizona voted to outlaw in-state tuition or financial aid to undocumented immigrants attending college. The sheriff in metropolitan Phoenix has made national headlines by policing illegal immigration and groups opposed to illegal immigration have begun protesting centers for day laborers.

Besides driving undocumented immigrants to other states, the laws are one of the reasons more people are returning to their home countries, said Estheban Vargas. Vargas works at a migrant shelter in Agua Prieta, Mexico, adjacent to Douglas, Ariz., and keeps statistics on the people who stay there.

"We're seeing less people coming on their way up [north] and more people on their way back," Vargas said.

Hidalgo said undocumented immigrants are wary of more than Arizona's laws.

"They're so frustrated with this particular state," Hidalgo said. "They're frustrated by the attacks. They're frustrated by the lack of appreciation."

It's not clear what an increased undocumented immigrant population would mean for Utah from a tax revenue standpoint. Studies in Texas and Arizona found undocumented immigrants there provided net increases to tax revenues. No similar study has been done in Utah.

Ken Jameson, a University of Utah economics professor, said the migration from Arizona likely will hurt its economy. He said high rates of migration to Arizona coincided with high economic performance there from 1999 to 2005.

"If you reverse the role of migrants it's entirely possible you'll reverse the pattern of economic performance," Jameson said.

Ann Seiden, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said some businesses are reconsidering whether they want to expand in Arizona.

"I think there's no question Utah will see an in-migration of residents from Arizona," Seiden said. "Arizona is a state that has historically been built on growth."

Arizona's employer law offers lessons for Utah, she said. Seiden said the state must make safeguards so businesses are not prosecuted if they unwittingly hire an undocumented immigrant.

"Overall, the law just makes Arizona an uncertain place to do business," Seiden said.

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* NATE CARLISLE reported on this story while attending a fellowship at Arizona State University titled "Immigration: The Southwest Border."