Immigration Battle Divides Ariz. GOP

A state law that took effect Jan. 1 heightens penalties on business owners who hire illegal immigrants. The consequences have yet to play out, but some proprietors on Bell Road say business is down as Hispanics either save their money or flee the state, to points unknown. Some people worry that crime will spike. And people are frightened.

The manager of a liquor store, a Palestinian man who gave his name only as John, said the crackdown on employers is going to have terrible consequences among the Hispanics who live in the area. They'll do "crazy stuff," he predicted.

"They're not going to go back to Mexico! There's no jobs there!"

Down the road on a side street next to the McDonald's where the protesters have gathered, Tillman said he'd never vote for McCain, or for any of the Democrats.

Rusty Childress, founder of United for a Sovereign America, said he hopes a television personality will come to the rescue: "Our hope would be that you'd get Lou Dobbs jumping in at the last minute."

Barb Heller said she fears what amounts to an annexation of parts of Arizona by the Mexican government: "The president of Mexico is saying that wherever there is a Mexican, that's Mexico."

She showed up for Saturday's protest with a surgical mask around her neck. "No TB please" was written on it.

A Hispanic man approached on the far side of the street. She put the mask on. She said she does it whenever someone might be carrying tuberculosis. Illegal immigrants don't have to pass health tests before getting jobs, she says. They might be working right there at McDonald's, she said.

"Do you know what it takes to spread TB? Would you like a little TB with your Happy Meal?"

She knows what people say about the protesters.

"They say, 'Why are you racist?' That's all they can come up with," she said.

Noon approached, and the demonstrators began to pack up their placards. They'd be back in the morning.