Friday, April 11, 2008
Congress inaction could hurt hospitality

Tampa Bay Business Journal - by Larry Halstead Staff Writer

With immigration reform stalled nationally until after the presidential election, states are moving forward with their own measures.

But those measures are often to the detriment of business, said William Flynn, immigration law attorney for Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa.

The result often is more legal action against companies that hire illegal aliens and no letup in paperwork requirements.

The Florida Legislature is considering several bills that would increase penalties for companies hiring illegal workers and for illegal aliens who are accused of a crime. Stricter enforcement could hurt the hospitality industry by reducing the worker pool.

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