Updated Jun 20, 2012 - 7:46 pm
Valley group prepping immigrants for SB 1070 decision
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PHOENIX - With a Supreme Court decision on Arizona's controversial SB 1070 expected any day, a Valley group is helping illegal immigrants get ready for what may happen.
The Immigrant Advocacy Foundation is offering to prepare power of attorney documents for undocumented workers free of charge. The group's Carlos Galindo said that, if the court rules in state's favor and SB 1070 is enforced, the documents will insure that children of undocumented immigrants are cared for.
"It entitles a relative or a friend to take possession of minor children from these undocumented parents in case these parents are apprehended, incarcerated, and perhaps even deported," he said.
Gallindo said that 75 people have asked for the documents so far. Hundreds took advantage of a similar offer just before Governor Brewer signed SB 1070 into law in 2010.
Meanwhile, the organization is urging immigrants to stay calm whatever the court's decision is and is urging them to stay in Arizona.
"Arizona can't handle another mass exodus like we had in 2010," Gallindo said. "It's going to kill our economy, so what we've asked for is calm."
Gallindo also noted that many illegal immigrants who left Arizona because of SB 1070 in 2010 later returned to the state.
Bob McClay, Reporter
