Bill would penalize businesses hiring illegals

Hiring illegal aliens could result in spilt milk Bill would penalize businesses hiring illegals
By Ben Botkin -
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:15 am

BOISE — Idaho businesses could lose their licenses if they knowingly hire illegal aliens, under legislation proposed Tuesday in the House State Affairs Committee.

That could mean Magic Valley dairies with suspended licenses would have to dump their milk instead of sell it.

Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden, told the committee federal immigration law gives states the authority to penalize violating businesses by suspending their licenses.

Hart’s proposal calls for more severe penalties following a businesses’ second and third offense within a three-year time frame.

“It has kind of a three-strikes-you’re-out approach to it,â€