Thread: Coalition challenges employer sanction law in federal court

Published: 07.17.2007

Coalition challenges employer sanction law in federal court
By Howard Fischer
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX - Some Arizona business owners hope to convince the state's non-Hispanic majority it is in their interest to quash any laws that punish companies that knowingly hire undocumented workers.

Mac Magruder who heads the Wake Up Arizona! coalition, said Tuesday the new statute will have "devastating unintended consequence'' on the state's economy. And he said the effects will be broader than just driving out the possible 500,000 people in this state illegally.

"When brown people lose their jobs, white people will lose their jobs,'' he said.

He noted the law, which takes effect Jan. 1, allows a judge to suspend a firm's license to do business for up to 10 days. A second violation within three years results in permanent loss of the right to do business in Arizona.

"When a business shuts down, where are they going to work?'' asked Magruder.

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said fears of "racial profiling'' may result in "a mass exodus of workers.'' Wilcox, who also owns a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, said companies that lose some of their workforce will be unable to stay in business and have to lay everyone else off.

The coalition is joining with other businesses challenging the law in federal court. But Magruder said his group also hopes to convince voters to defeat an even more stringent measure that may be on the 2008 ballot, possibly by launching a competing initiative without the same punishments for companies.

That campaign, however, started with some name calling.

Magruder, who owns seven McDonald's franchises, said Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, architect of the law, would not negotiate in good faith during the legislative session.

"You can't reason with hatred,'' Magruder said. Asked later if he believes Pearce is a racist, Magruder said he can only go on what he sees.

"I mean, something walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I wonder if it is,'' he said.

Pearce, however, said Magruder was the one being unreasonable.

He said the legislation punishes only firms that knowingly or intentionally hire undocumented workers. Pearce said that protects other companies which hire only legal U.S. residents from unfair competition.

Magruder, he said, "wanted employer amnesty.''

"Any time they run out of arguments ... they throw out the race card,'' Pearce said. "These are folks who simply don't want the law enforced.''

Magruder insisted neither he nor other coalition members knowingly hire undocumented workers. He said companies follow proper procedures, checking social security numbers and filling out federal hiring checklists.

But he conceded that someone must be hiring people who crossed the border illegally.

"What happens is if you even start questioning those documents you can be sued for profiling,'' Magruder said. "The business guy is really between a rock and hard place.''

Coalition members said the state should stay out of issues surrounding illegal immigration. But Gov. Janet Napolitano, who signed the measure, said that isn't an option.

"The failure of this administration, this Congress to pass immigration reform in a comprehensive manner has serious repercussions for the states,'' she said Tuesday.

"And the states now will take the lead,'' Napolitano continued. "And Arizona will be the lead among the states.''

Coalition members:

- Mac Magruder, owns McDonald's franchises

- Ray Arvizu, owns Arvizu Advertising and Promotions, a Hispanic marketing firm

- Tom Barnett, owns Good Egg and Eggery restaurants and Burger King franchises

- Steve Chucri, president, Arizona Restaurant Association

- Jim Click, Tucson car dealer

- Jerry Colangelo, former owner, Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks

- Brian Day O'Connor, owns commercial real estate firm and a car wash, son of former U.S. Supreme Court justice

- Nicole Dreier, representing Burger King franchises

- Barry Goldwater Jr., son of former U.S. senator

- Danny Hendon, owns of Danny's Family car washes

- Steve Hilton, chief executive, Meritage Homes

- Gordon James, owns public relations firm

- James LeVecke, owns Carl's Jr. franchises

- Jeff Moorad, general manager, Arizona Diamondbacks

- Mary Rose Wilcox, Maricopa County supervisor, owner El Portal restaurant.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/192210

boy are these a bunch of nasty people...

[q]"When brown people lose their jobs, white people will lose their jobs[/q]

BAH HA HA HA the funniest thing I have heard all day.

Here it should look like this.

[q]When brown people get a job, white people lose their job[/q]

There fixed it for him

"When a business shuts down, where are they going to work?'' asked Magruder.

THE ENTIRE ASSETS OF THE COMPANY SHOULD BE LIQUIDATED AND GIVEN TO THE LEGAL EMPLOYEES THAT LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF THE CLOSURE

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said fears of "racial profiling'' may result in "a mass exodus of workers.

Illegal aliens are a race now? That's news. It's not fear of racial profiling, the legal workers are not afraid!

Blah, blah, blah, ten pounds of certified, homoginized bull crap!