Business leaders take aim at new Arizona immigration law

PHOENIX -- A group of Arizona businesses began a public relations assault Tuesday to convince the public that a new law that prohibits the hiring of illegal immigrants will devastate the state's economy.

The group, known as Wake Up Arizona!, is considering proposing a ballot initiative to combat the state's efforts to crack down on illegal hiring.

Mac Magruder, a restaurant owner who chairs the group, said the law puts businesses that aren't hiring illegal immigrants in the position of enforcing an immigration law.

"You don't have to make businesses the Border Patrol," Magruder said.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Janet Napolitano signed the employer sanctions proposal into law, though she criticized certain elements. The law prohibits employers from hiring illegal immigrants and requires them to verify the employment eligibility of workers through a federal database.

Violators could face a 10-day business license suspension. Repeat offenders would have their business licenses revoked.
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