May 3, 2010
Immigrant Families Leave Arizona, Fearing Law
At Least 100,000 Illegal Immigrants Flee the State Fearing Legislation; Some Citizens Angered by Financial Impact
By Kelly Cobiella
(CBS) On a dusty block in Phoenix, 15 years of the Quintana family's possessions are for sale.
Manuela Quintana said that they decided to leave when the Arizona governor signed the new immigration law.
For years, their family thrived with jobs in restaurants and construction, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella. Their 10 children were born here and are U.S. citizens. Both she and her husband are undocumented, and currently unemployed.
She said that her biggest fear is being put in jail and having her children taken away from her. Just the thought of moving scares their 12-year-old daughter Graciela.
"I think it's going to be my worst day," Graciela said.
Two years ago, this park was filled with families every weekend. Arizona was home to more than half a million illegal immigrants. Since then, at least 100,000 have left.
Poll: Majority Backs Arizona Immigration Bill
Kyle Kester is the Quintana's landlord - he's lost seven tenants in the past week.
"I would say on this block alone we have 20 vacancies at least," Kester said. "It's not just illegal immigrants who are affected by this. I was born in the U.S. and it's hurting me now."
Graciela's best friend fled to California with her family Saturday. She didn't get to say good-bye.
Manuela knows she broke the law when she came here 15 years ago. But she doesn’t see herself as a criminal.
"A criminal is someone who kills," she said in Spanish. "I just want to work."
The family packed up before dawn today and headed north to Colorado. Manuela says she's lost hope in this state. She thinks she'll find it again in another.
Looks like the law is doing it's job.
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