Arizona’s new SB 1070 immigration law may be causing more than just an image problem for the southwestern state. Due to the nature of the law, Arizona may lose an approximate $90 million in the next five years, if scheduled groups continue to cancel major conventions, which has occurred since the law’s implementation.
SB 1070 requires police to check individuals for proof of citizenship if they suspect that someone may be an illegal citizen. The law is getting quite a bit of international attention, and Phoenix officials have a watch list of 19 events to track whether or not tourists are actually boycotting the state.
So far, four major groups have canceled conventions, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, which is the oldest African American Greek-lettered fraternity, which was supposed to hold its July meeting in the Sheraton. The event is expected to draw 5,000 attendees and 10,000 visitors, and now it will be held in Las Vegas.
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