Thread: AZ: Employer sanctions law draws few complaints

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April 27, 2008 - 9:50PM
Employer sanctions law draws few complaints
Associated Press

When Arizona's employer sanctions law passed last year, it was hailed as landmark legislation that would help authorities crack down on employers hiring illegal immigrants.

But outside of Maricopa County, complaints have been minimal, with nine of 15 county attorneys saying they haven't received any. Meanwhile, no civil suits have been filed against a single employer in the state.

"Is this the mouse that roared or what?" said Pinal County Attorney James Walsh. "I don't think anyone really knows how this will operate. It's brand-new, and there is nothing to compare it to." Walsh's office has not received any formal complaints.

Supporters of the law, which took effect Jan. 1, say no matter how it's enforced, it's a deterrent. And, as long as the statute is making it less comfortable for illegal immigrants to work in Arizona, it's working as intended, they say.

The law gives the state authority to suspend or revoke the business license of any employer who knowingly hired an illegal immigrant. While county attorneys have taken complaints, they agreed to wait until March 1 to bring enforcement because of legal challenges brought by business groups.

Although the law was upheld in federal court, there is no widespread agreement on how to enforce it. In addition, the way complaints are investigated varies, and most counties were given little money from the state to implement it.

The state allocated $2.4 million for the 2007-08 fiscal year for 15 counties to enforce the law, with $1.4 million going to Maricopa County and $500,000 to Pima County. Pinal County received about $93,000, which Walsh said wasn't even enough to hire another lawyer to prosecute cases.

More than 1,100 complaints have come in to an immigration hot line and to sheriff's deputies in Maricopa County.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/114969

A lot of the crying has been coming from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Hmmm........wonder why?

Excerpt:

Said Ann Seiden, of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, "Nobody is going to be untouched by the ramifications of this law." Her organization is among a group that has gone to court to try to block the law.

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57361