Thread: AZ: Group targets anonymous tips on hiring illegals

January 4, 2008 - 11:26PM
Group targets anonymous tips on hiring illegals

Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants to alter the state’s new employer sanctions law just in case its efforts to kill it fail.

Chamber President Glenn Hamer said his organization wants a “fair and transparentâ€

Maricopa County will accept anonymous complaints. That is not fair, Hamer said.

Many law enforcement agencies have anonymous complaint programs like 'secret witness', 'crimestoppers', and tip programs under other names with some offering rewards if the crime is resolved.

It's an invaluable tool and a person's duty to report crimes.

In fact, the 'Baby Grace' case is Texas was solved by a tip: The tip that Baby Grace might be Sawyers originally came from her paternal grandmother, Sheryl Sawyers, who phoned investigators after she saw the Baby Grace sketch on the Internet.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=3912395&page=1

[quote]FOXNews.com is now reporting, "Police on Tuesday announced a $20,000 FBI reward for information leading to the identity of “Baby Grace,â€

Here is a related story:
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/219259.php
Illegal worker complaints can be anonymous in Cochise County
Pima County, like others in SE Arizona, prohibits secret complaints
By Brady McCombs
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.05.2008
Cochise County is the only Southeastern Arizona county that will field anonymous complaints under the state’s new employer sanctions law.
Pima, Pinal and Santa Cruz Counties require that people accusing a businesses of employing unauthorized workers submit a written complaint in person and sign it under oath before a notary public.
The three counties are also warning people that anybody who knowingly files a false and frivolous complaint against an employer is subject to a $500 fine and as many as 30 days in jail.
“It is to make sure that those who do come in and file a complaint are telling the truth,â€

If a person feels they will have to have their names made public or part of a record accessible by others, that might put a chill on reporting this.

It would me. I'm not interested in filing a complaint, that may or may not be checked out, and for that effort - having a gang of thugs visit my home or family.