Gov. Doug Ducey: Threats to boycott Arizona nothing but cries for attention

PHOENIX — Threats by immigration activists to boycott Arizona over certain legislation are nothing more than cries for attention, Gov. Doug Ducey said Wednesday.

“There is no need at all for what happened there and this is just activists trying to get attention,” he said.

Ducey said the group behind the boycott threats, Somos America, are using the threats to get the spotlight turned its way.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has been critical of the boycott, saying such a step would only hurt hard-working people without providing solution.

“The groups can accomplish their goals by gathering the stakeholders together, go and have a common sense, calm conversation,” Mike Huckins with the Chamber said. “Rather than ramping up the rhetoric and calling for boycotts.”

Of the most concern to the group is Senate Bill 1377, which would require illegal immigrants convicted of certain crimes to serve the entire length of their prison sentence without the chance of parole.

Sen. Steve Smith, R-Maricopa, sponsored the bill that would essentially make it impossible for immigrants in the country illegally to receive any leniency in the courts when they commit serious crimes.

Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Phoenix, opposed the measure, saying it unfairly targets a specific group of people.

“To single out this one particular situation, what we are doing is making a political point,” he said. “We are grandstanding here.”

Ducey said he sees no problem with the law and believes its reform based in common sense.

“In the limelight here was (a bill) that required equal sentencing for all citizens and this is just good government and a proper and equitable application of our laws,” he said.

The bill is still in the Legislature. In order for it to become law, Ducey would have to sign it.

Somos America boycotted Arizona after SB 1070 was signed into law.

KTAR’s Corbin Carson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.