Now leaving Arizona

I don't know what's more shocking, news of 'self-deporting' illegal aliens or the fact CNN carried a story calling them illegal.

Either way, a new law taking effect Jan. 1 (state, not federal of course) is worth a few extra New Years fireworks in my book. By holding employers accountable for a change, the new law is already reversing The Great Invasion in Arizona.

"People are calling me telling me about their friend, their cousin, their neighbors -- they're moving back to Mexico," said Magdalena Schwartz, an immigrant-rights activist and pastor at a Mesa church. "They don't want to live in fear, in terror."

She says that like it's a bad thing. Apparently they don't do Romans 13:4 in girl seminary?

" 'I don't want to live here because of the new law and the oppressive environment,' said [a 40-year-old illegal immigrant and masonry worker]. 'I'll be better in my country.' "

You are correct, señor. The Rio Grande is that-a-way. Please accept this snorkel as a parting gift.

Also notice which nation is "my country." They're here for the Mexican Dream, not the American. (More on that in an upcoming post.)

But if Arizona is looking rosy, Scottsdale is golden. Police are now checking papers and turning illegals over to ICE for deportation. A new development with sad origins, but a happy ending.

Back to the AP story...

"There's no way to know how many illegal immigrants are leaving Arizona, especially now with many returning home for normal holiday visits. But economists, immigration lawyers and people who work in the immigrant community agree it's happening."

Normal holiday visits?? It really is that easy? Hey, whatever... As long as they're whacking the Yule pinata on their side of the line next year, I'm good.