Thread: Ariz. immigration law frustrates some business owners

Ariz. immigration law frustrates some business owners
The Associated Press
Jul. 19, 2007 04:15 PM

PHOENIX - After flipping through a thick binder of details on Arizona's new immigration law Thursday, Bruce Pavlikowski started to wonder whether it would eventually put him out of business.

The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, makes it a crime to knowingly hire illegal immigrants and requires businesses to verify the employment status of their workers. Anyone could put an employer under scrutiny by immigration authorities with a simple phone call, and this makes employers nervous.

"What if I have a falling out with someone? They can come in now and point out one of my employees and say Check that guy out. I think he's illegal,' " said Pavlikowski, who owns three Burger King restaurants in Flagstaff.

Pavlikowski and about 340 other business owners crowded into a hotel conference room to hear more about the employer sanctions law, which opponents say would have a sweeping effect on the state economy. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, illegal immigrants make up 10 percent of Arizona's work force.

Business leaders have called the law unconstitutional, arguing that it's the responsibility of the federal government to crack down on illegal immigration. Many also worry that they'll now have to defend themselves from false claims of hiring illegal immigrants.

"Everybody's afraid, and you can see why," said David A. Selden, a lawyer who spoke at the conference. "They don't want to be targeted."

Selden represents business groups that have lobbied against the law and asked a federal judge to block it with a preliminary injunction. Another group of businesses known as Wake Up Arizona! is considering proposing a ballot initiative to combat the state's efforts to crack down on illegal hiring.

"The people who passed this didn't think it through," Selden said.

Supporters of the law said the new rules were necessary because businesses that hire illegal immigrants are fueling Arizona's border woes and that the federal government hasn't done enough to enforce a federal law that already outlaws such hirings.

They also point out that the law would punish those who make frivolous complaints against businesses.

Gov. Janet Napolitano has brushed aside criticism from business leaders. She said some employers praise the law and that the business community "has not spoken with one voice" on the issue.

But the law's benefits were lost on Jim Davis, who owns a Phoenix company that manufactures construction components.

"It's a horrible law," Davis said as he walked out of the conference room. "I just think it discriminates against employees and employers."

The law requires all businesses to verify the employment eligibility of workers through a federal database. People who knowingly employ illegal immigrants could face a business license suspension lasting up to 10 days for a first offense.

Businesses that try to circumvent the ban will have their licenses suspended for 10 days. If they're caught a second time, businesses would have their licenses revoked permanently.

However, the law gives some legal protection to businesses that show they've verified the eligibility of workers through the federal records database.

Arizona Employers For Immigration Reform: http://azeir.org/index2.asp
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... iglaw.html

Boohoo! Following the law is so tough isn't it Mr. Burger King? Here's a toy for your happy meal:

"What if I have a falling out with someone? They can come in now and point out one of my employees and say Check that guy out. I think he's illegal,' " said Pavlikowski, who owns three Burger King restaurants in Flagstaff.

If you are not hiring illegals what's the problem?