Thread: AZ Proposed HB 2592 Seeks to Ban Govt. Day Labor Centers

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... ers02.html

Panel backs ban on labor centers
Elvia DÃÂ*az
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Advancing a strategy to discourage illegal immigration, a legislative panel has recommended banning government-sponsored day-labor centers in Arizona.

The measure is considered a blow to cities and towns struggling with undocumented immigrants crowding major thoroughfares, seeking work on jobs ranging from construction to roofing to landscaping.

The legislation, House Bill 2592, prohibits cities, towns and counties from building or maintaining a work center that facilitates the hiring of undocumented immigrants.

"It's not right for taxpayers' money to be used to foster illegal-alien hiring halls," said Republican Rep. Colette Rosati, of Scottsdale, who sponsored the legislation.

On a 3-2 vote, the Federal Mandates and Property Rights Committee agreed with Rosati on Monday. The legislation will go to the full House before it's sent to the Senate.

Rosati and other supporters of the bill say government-sponsored centers legitimize illegal immigration and an underground economy.

Critics argue that whether to use taxpayers' money should be left to local governments as they handle day laborers plaguing neighborhoods.

"These work centers are not for illegal aliens," said Salvador Reza, of Tonatierra, the non-profit group that runs the Macehualli Work Center near 25th Street and Bell Road in Phoenix. "They are for the business owners."

The Phoenix center won't be affected because it is privately run.

But if the legislation is signed into law, it would put the brakes on any future efforts by local governments to subsidize or help out a day-labor center, Reza told lawmakers.

Chandler, which features a private center that draws few of the day laborers, is offering to host the Valley's first regional day-labor forum later this month as it grapples with the problem.

The city is also pondering what to do when the Santan Freeway opens to Arizona Avenue this spring. Traffic heading to downtown must pass the day-labor gathering spots between Pecos and Frye roads to reach downtown.

Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, opposed the bill, saying immigrants keep essential industries in the state thriving.

"We have become totally dependent on causal labor that keep the tourist industry going," she said, suggesting that other industries such as construction and homeowners also rely on immigrants for work.

Rep. Gary Pierce, R-Mesa, said the goal of the legislation is to prohibit the use of taxpayers' money to break federal law.

"Cities can build these facilities anywhere and as many as they want," said Pierce, who voted for the bill. "This simply says it won't be for the purpose to have a place for undocumented workers to get illegally hired."

Rafael MartÃÂ*nez, a 41-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, said a formal gathering place is critical for day laborers and business owners who hire them.

"It's safer for everyone," said MartÃÂ*nez, a day laborer at the northeast Phoenix center. "We're off the streets, and business owners honor what they promise to pay us."

Reach the reporter at elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8948.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... ers02.html

Panel backs ban on labor centers
Elvia DÃÂ*az
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Advancing a strategy to discourage illegal immigration, a legislative panel has recommended banning government-sponsored day-labor centers in Arizona.

The measure is considered a blow to cities and towns struggling with undocumented immigrants crowding major thoroughfares, seeking work on jobs ranging from construction to roofing to landscaping.

The legislation, House Bill 2592, prohibits cities, towns and counties from building or maintaining a work center that facilitates the hiring of undocumented immigrants.

"It's not right for taxpayers' money to be used to foster illegal-alien hiring halls," said Republican Rep. Colette Rosati, of Scottsdale, who sponsored the legislation.

On a 3-2 vote, the Federal Mandates and Property Rights Committee agreed with Rosati on Monday. The legislation will go to the full House before it's sent to the Senate.

Rosati and other supporters of the bill say government-sponsored centers legitimize illegal immigration and an underground economy.

Critics argue that whether to use taxpayers' money should be left to local governments as they handle day laborers plaguing neighborhoods.

"These work centers are not for illegal aliens," said Salvador Reza, of Tonatierra, the non-profit group that runs the Macehualli Work Center near 25th Street and Bell Road in Phoenix. "They are for the business owners."

The Phoenix center won't be affected because it is privately run.

But if the legislation is signed into law, it would put the brakes on any future efforts by local governments to subsidize or help out a day-labor center, Reza told lawmakers.

Chandler, which features a private center that draws few of the day laborers, is offering to host the Valley's first regional day-labor forum later this month as it grapples with the problem.

The city is also pondering what to do when the Santan Freeway opens to Arizona Avenue this spring. Traffic heading to downtown must pass the day-labor gathering spots between Pecos and Frye roads to reach downtown.

Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, opposed the bill, saying immigrants keep essential industries in the state thriving.

"We have become totally dependent on causal labor that keep the tourist industry going," she said, suggesting that other industries such as construction and homeowners also rely on immigrants for work.

Rep. Gary Pierce, R-Mesa, said the goal of the legislation is to prohibit the use of taxpayers' money to break federal law.

"Cities can build these facilities anywhere and as many as they want," said Pierce, who voted for the bill. "This simply says it won't be for the purpose to have a place for undocumented workers to get illegally hired."

Rafael MartÃÂ*nez, a 41-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, said a formal gathering place is critical for day laborers and business owners who hire them.

"It's safer for everyone," said MartÃÂ*nez, a day laborer at the northeast Phoenix center. "We're off the streets, and business owners honor what they promise to pay us."

Reach the reporter at elvia.diaz@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8948.