"A year later, SB 1070 looks like a big, expensive con. It brought us boycotts, lost business, a sullied reputation, another court battle and a betrayal of Arizona's heritage.

Oh, yes. And it did nothing to make the border safer or reduce illegal immigration.

The national spotlight made Arizona look like a place where extremism is the norm. International media lapped up each outrageous statement from SB 1070 supporters. Comedians ripped a hole in the state's dignity bigger than the Grand Canyon.

Yet SB 1070 initially got good poll numbers. It was popular for two reasons. 1) The leaders who sold it to the state were that convincing. 2) People were frustrated with federal inaction. Some saw SB 1070 as a wake-up call to Washington. A year later, Congress is still sleeping.

Recent discussions from the White House about comprehensive immigration reform were the result of President Barack Obama's need to woo Latino voters before the 2012 election. Not SB 1070."

Get the Story:
Editorial: SB 1070 has been a costly failure (The Arizona Republic 4/23)

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