Thread: Gov. Napolitano's statement on signing employer sanctions bi

~~~

Gov. Napolitano's statement on signing employer sanctions bill
Jul. 2, 2007 02:57 PM

Here is the full text of the statement issued this afternoon by the office of Gov. Janet Napolitano after she signed the employer sanctions bill:

PHOENIX - Governor Janet Napolitano today has signed a tough, new law that imposes penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants. At the same time, the Governor announced she is willing to call for a special session of the Arizona State Legislature to repair defects in the bill.

In a written statement accompanying House Bill 2779, the Governor said she took the tandem action because Congress has failed miserably. She wrote, "Immigration is a federal responsibility, but I signed HB 2779 because it is now abundantly clear that Congress finds itself incapable of coping with the comprehensive immigration reforms our country needs. I signed it, too, out of the realization that the flow of illegal immigration into our state is due to the constant demand of some employers for cheap, undocumented labor."





House Bill 2779 takes the most aggressive action in the country against employers who knowingly or intentionally hire undocumented workers. The new law requires employers to verify that the people they employ are present in the country legally; knowing or intentional failure to do so will cause the employer's business licenses to be suspended. A second offense can result in the "business death penalty" - permanent revocation of an employer's licenses to do business in Arizona.

Yet, the bill also contains flaws that must be addressed:


• The bill should protect critical infrastructure. Hospitals, nursing homes and power plants could be shut down for days because of a single wrongful employment decision.


• The revocation provision is overbroad, and could cause a business with multiple locations to face shutdown of its entire operation based on an infraction that occurred at only one location.


• The bill is underfunded. Even though the Attorney General's office must establish an entirely new database and must investigate complaints statewide, only $100,000 is appropriated for that purpose. Only $70,000 is appropriated to notify employers of the change in the law.


• There is no expressed provision protecting Arizona citizens or legal residents from discrimination under the terms of this bill.


• There is even a typo that has to be fixed. The bill cites the wrong portion of a federal law.

The Governor wrote, "We must not harm legitimate Arizona employers and employees as we seek to curb illegal employment practices."

The bill's provisions do not take effect until January of 2008, allowing ample time for the state legislature to pass the necessary improvements to the law. The Governor is willing to call for a special session to occur sometime this fall, but will not set the specific date until she has had the opportunity to consult with legislative leaders. The purpose of the special session will be clear: to correct and clarify the law, not to undercut it.

Today, the Governor also signed Senate Bill 1265 and House Bill 2467. SB 1265 deals with bail for illegal immigrants. Under the law, courts must deny bail to those charged with a felony and who are believed to be in the country illegally. This bill conforms Arizona law more closely to federal law, and aligns with the intent of Proposition 100 passed by voters last year.

HB 2467 requires individuals to show documentation of legal citizenship to receive state services, per the provisions of Proposition 200, which was approved by voters in 2004.

Along with signing 2779, the Governor also sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. In it, she asks for improvements to the 'Basic Pilot' program - the federal database used to verify legal status.

The Governor has directed Leesa Morrison, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security, and Roger Vanderpool, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, to intensify efforts related to intercept fraudulent documents used in the business of illegal immigration, and to conduct training with businesses to aid them in detecting fraudulent documents.

Finally, in a letter to the Special Agent in Charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Arizona, Alonzo Peña, the Governor asked that the state be notified when his officers encounter evidence of employers knowingly or intentionally employing illegal immigrants.

For more information about the Office of the Governor, please visit www.azgovernor.gov.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... -ONL.html#

Napolitano for President ....

But....But ...But...Call in Laura Ingraham's But Monkey....he is badly needed here....Please just grow a pair and let it be!
Enforce the Laws, deport criminals, fine employers, cut off all benefits that draw them here...do away the the anchor baby law...
THEY WILL QUIT COMING!

I think this is Napolitano's first immigration (enforcement) focused bill that the people of Arizona have voted into law that she has NOT vetoed.

Finally... she does the right thing...it's LONG overdue.

I think that jamming the Senate phone lines said a lot to some legislators. They may be getting nervous. McCain is having to let go of 50 campaign workers do to LOW campaign funds. DUH

Published: 07.02.2007

Napolitano signs employee sanctions bill
By Daniel Scarpinato
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Gov. Janet Napolitano signed a bill Monday which experts say will create the toughest sanctions in the country for companies that "knowingly" hire illegal immigrants, breaking from some political allies in the business community who have opposed the measure.

In a statement Napolitano said, "Immigration is a federal responsibility, but I signed HB 2779 because it is now abundantly clear that Congress finds itself incapable of coping with the comprehensive immigration reforms our country needs.

"I signed it, too, out of the realization that the flow of illegal immigration into our state is due to the constant demand of some employers for cheap, undocumented labor."

But the governor also pointed to flaws in the bill, and said she is willing to call for a special session to address the problems. Among her concerns: The law, she says, should protect "critical infrastructure," like hospitals, nursing homes and power plants. She also wants more funding for the bill and says there needs more to be more language to protect "Arizona citizens or legal residents from discrimination under the terms of this bill."

Under the law, set to take effect in January, a business caught "knowingly" employing illegal immigrants could lose its license for up to 10 days. An "intentional hire" could result in more than 10 days.

Employers would be placed on a three-year probation, forced to fire all illegal employees and sign an affidavit promising not to do it again.

If caught with a second offense while on probation, a business would permanently lose its license.

Last year, Napolitano vetoed a sanctions bill, declaring it "amnesty for employers." She said that bill was not tough enough and lacked funding for law enforcement agencies.

This year's bill, sponsored by Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, won bipartisan support in both House of the Legislature The bill provides $100,000 to the Arizona Attorney General's office from the general fund. The Pima County Attorney's office would receive $500,000 to enforce the law, that's compared with $1.5 million for Maricopa County.

The Pols would be stupid to ignore the people after what happened with the garbage immigration bill. They are starting to get it. Maybe a little nervous about their jobs... eh?

Originally Posted by blkkat99

But....But ...But...Call in Laura Ingraham's But Monkey....he is badly needed here....Please just grow a pair and let it be!
Enforce the Laws, deport criminals, fine employers, cut off all benefits that draw them here...do away the the anchor baby law...
THEY WILL QUIT COMING!

That is what I call Comprehensive Immigration Reform....

How do we get them to enforce the laws???

Originally Posted by gofer

The Pols would be stupid to ignore the people after what happened with the garbage immigration bill. They are starting to get it. Maybe a little nervous about their jobs... eh?

I Pray you are Right... But history show us they, the politicians, have not found away to slip out of it... Trust me they, the politicians, are working 24/7 on how to redefine what happened with the Amnesty Bill... Some are starting to say it was all about securing the borders and that is it.. Then we will deal with the 12 to 20 million that are here, read amnesty....... So I think the will be the next step with the slime balls... "Border Control" then Amnesty.... Wrong.... Try Sealing the Border and Deport.. Police deport or self deport who cares... Just Go...

This story and the related stories of the illegals leaving AZ should be on the home page.

Don't give her too many pats on the back - wait and see what final legislation comes out of this and see how it's enforced.

The scary thing is, if this works and she goes through with it, hell may freeze over. I may send her a positive email which would result in the netherworlds having a drastic change in climate - snow, wind and sleet would replace all the fire and brimstone.