Mexican Consul Concerned About Oklahoma's Immigration Law

Friday, August 17th 2007, 6:03 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- Mexican consul Andres Chao says a sweeping Oklahoma law denying benefits and jobs to illegal immigrants raises concerns among the Hispanic community around the region. Chao says those concerns come as police agencies in northwest Arkansas prepare to send officers to federal immigration training.

However, as Arkansas' cost of living remains low, he says the state and surrounding area will draw immigrants wanting to save money to send home to their families.

Some Arkansas legislators this week suggested that stricter laws in Oklahoma and Tennessee would cause more illegal immigrants to move to Arkansas.

Chao says immigrants would continue to come to Arkansas, home to one of the nation's fastest growing Hispanic populations.