Covering the Cost: The cost of immigration in Hawaii’s economy

In HNN’s livestream show “Covering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos,” we break down the numbers behind Hawaii’s affordability crisis in candid conversations with financial experts, entrepreneurs and community leaders.

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In this episode of “Covering the Cost” on July 29 at 12:30 p.m., Annalisa Burgos talks with Sergio Alcubilla, community engagement director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Ana Flores, legal policy fellow with The Legal Clinic, and Amy Agbayani, a local civil rights activist for 50 years, about new landmark state laws aimed to counter the negative impacts of federal immigration enforcement in the islands,

They are part of the Campaign for Immigrant Justice coalition, along with the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, which says the rise in ICE raids across the islands not only create fear, but hurt businesses and tax limited resources.

“For the Kona coffee farmers, they rely so much on, you know, migrant workers coming here, during the season to help, but just because of this chilling effect that we’re seeing across the country, many are deciding not to come to Hawaii and, that impacts our local economy, that impacts our farmers,” said Alcubilla.

One in five Hawaii residents were born outside of the United States, a population that contributes at least $18 billion to the state’s GDP each year, including wages, spending power and tax revenue.

Critics of new federal enforcement argue ICE’s chilling effect puts the economy at risk.

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“People didn’t wanna send their kids to school. People didn’t wanna go get, medical care because they were just afraid that in the hospital they will be taken to courts,” said Flores. “Even people with green cards are worried to drive… if you pass a yellow light you can be stopped and taken.”

Supporters of stronger ICE enforcement believe those who enter the United States illegally should be held accountable.

When asked about potential retaliation from the Trump administration such as federal funding cuts for taking so-called “sanctuary” actions, advocates say they’re willing to take the chance.

“It seems to me they retaliate whether or not we do anything. And so we have to just stand up for what we think is important,” said Agbayani.

The six laws include:

Coalition members plan to hold a Hawaii Immigration and Inclusion Conference on September 30th.

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Watch more “Covering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos” Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.