Arizona Senate approves adjustment to employer sanctions law
Mike Sunnucks

The Arizona Senate has approved an bill that would adjust the state’s controversial law punishing employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Business groups have been challenging the Arizona Legal Workers Act (which took effect in January) in federal court, but thus far have been unsuccessful.

The new bill takes aim at under-the-table businesses and contractors that avoid taxes while paying illegal immigrants in cash. It also would bar state and local government contracts from going to businesses that do not use the federal E-Verify system to check workers’ legal status in the U.S., and looks to expand the ability to go after fake identification rings that supply illegal immigrants with work papers.

“Arizona lawmakers have reaffirmed their support of state employer sanctions. The question now shifts to their willingness to help find solutions to verifiable labor shortages by supporting the Arizona temporary worker legislation now before them,â€