Immigration Bill To Affect Day Laborers
Employers At Risk If Worker Is Not Legal Resident
Peter Busch
Reporter, KPHO.com

POSTED: 9:03 pm MST April 19, 2010
UPDATED: 10:37 pm MST April 19, 2010

PHOENIX -- The controversial immigration bill that passed through the Arizona state legislature Monday could make you a criminal if your landscaper or maid is in the country illegally.

A section in the bill makes it a crime to "recklessly disregard" the immigration status of someone you pay for services.

Immigration attorney Margarita Silva said it's difficult for most people to know if someone's in the country illegally.

"I can tell you, a good percentage of citizens out here -- and even police officers -- don't know what a green card looks like," said Silva.

The bill also makes it a crime to impede traffic to hire a day laborer, but Silva thinks that part of the bill is largely irrelevant.

"They usually pull into the parking lot to make their arrangement. I don't see somebody pulling off at the bus lane at Thomas Road. So, because it requires the impeding of traffic, I just don't see that one being enforced all that much," said Silva.

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