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Greene opposes business-backed guest worker plans
Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal
Republican gubernatorial candidate and Valley attorney John Greene released an immigration and border security plan Friday, highlighted by support for tougher sanctions against employers who hire illegal immigrants and opposition to business-backed guest worker proposals as well as to a new border fence between the U.S. and Mexico.

Greene said a guest worker program would benefit employers who want to pay substandard wages to foreign workers. The former state lawmaker argues that American and legal immigrants will fill the shoes of undocumented workers at higher wages. Greene contends that illegal immigrants drive down wages and strain hospitals, jails, welfare programs and drive uninsured and unsafe vehicles. He would favor deportations of a number illegal immigrants already in the U.S. and require others to return to their native countries and apply for legal status.

There are an estimated 11 million to 15 million illegal immigrants already living in the U.S.

Business groups -- including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry -- back a guest worker plan put forward by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz. and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Arizona Congressmen Jeff Flake and Jim Kolbe.

They are argue foreign workers are needed to fill lower-paying, labor-intensive jobs in sectors such as farming, construction and services.

Greene, who is a partner with the Valley law firm Hahn, Howard & Greene, also wants to create a sanctioned, volunteer patrol force to work with state and federal law enforcement along the Mexican border.

That idea would create a government-sanctioned, more-coordinated version of the independent Minuteman group that has been patrolling border areas on their own, without government support.

Greene, a former state lawmaker and social moderate, also wants to see tougher penalties and sanctions against employers who hire illegals and opposes construction of a new wall along the Mexican/U.S. border, arguing it would not be effective. Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano also does not support a border wall but backs a guest worker program.

A border wall idea has the backing of a number of conservatives. Former state judge Jan Smith Florez and GOP activist Don Goldwater are also running in the Republican primary for governor and both back increased border walls and fencing, especially in high-traffic crossing points.

Arizona is a top crossing point into the U.S. for illegal immigrants, smugglers and drug cartels and the issue will be a top one in next year's elections.

Business groups oppose new tough proposed state sanctions against employers who hire illegals worrying small businesses will lose their operating licenses over minor infractions.