Posted on 05/04/2005 9:04:38 PM PDT by AZHua87
PHOENIX - State senators approved yet another measure Tuesday designed to crack down on illegal border crossers, but with a twist: This time they also want to go after the companies that hire them.
The underlying legislation makes even more services legally off limits to illegal entrants than Proposition 200, which was approved by voters in November.
For example, if HB 2030 becomes law, only citizens and legal residents could get adult education classes and subsidized child care. And students at state universities and community colleges would have to pay the higher tuition normally charged to out-of-state residents.
But senators first tacked on a series of amendments to also deal with the other side of the equation of illegal border crossers: They would financially penalize companies that are found guilty of violating federal law by knowingly hiring people not in this country legally.
For example, an employer would be denied tax credits and state contracts. Potentially more significant, a company would lose its state license to do business for six months for a first offense - and permanently for repeat violations.
Sen. Bill Brotherton, D-Phoenix, who crafted the additions, said people cross the border for a variety of reasons. He said it would be wrong to deny that a primary one is that they know jobs are waiting.
"We should move forward in enforcement, both supply and demand, with regard to the folks who are coming here and the people employing them," Brotherton said.
"But (we should) not do it in a hypocritical manner where we're just attacking the poor immigrant who comes across and basically is being pulled across by available jobs from employers who want to break the law."
Tuesday's preliminary approval of the measure drew concern from Farrell Quinlan, spokesman for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.
He said it is "bad policy" to base state sanctions on violations of federal law. Quinlan said that's like saying someone should be punished by the state for breaking federal environmental laws.
But Quinlan conceded that many Arizona businesses are dependent on foreign labor.
"There are many categories of jobs that it's very difficult to find American workers to fill," he said.
At a political debate last year, John Bremond, president of KB Homes, said undocumented workers are vital for his industry, which he said suffers from persistent labor shortages.
"We rely on that work force," he said.
Quinlan said the same situation exists in agriculture. He said penalizing those employers is not the answer.
"There's a labor problem in this country," Quinlan said. "And there's a solution which is immigrant labor that should be utilized with a guest worker program that makes sense."
Quinlan was alarmed at the prospect a business would lose its license, even temporarily. Quinlan said that amounted to a "death penalty" for what might be a paperwork violation.
How many companies might be affected is unclear.
A spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement said there were only 124 cases nationwide in 2003, the most recent figures available. There was no immediate breakdown for Arizona.
Tuesday's vote is not the end of the matter: The House version of the legislation does not include the employer sanctions. Rep. Tom Boone, R-Glendale, sponsor of the underlying bill, remains open to accepting the Senate changes.
"The concept of sanctions or fines or something for employers that have knowingly hired folks that are here illegally, I would not be opposed to looking at something like this," he said.
That option is unacceptable to Brotherton. He said that would allow business interests to pressure lawmakers to kill the bill without fear that they would be voting against cracking down on illegal entrants.
Reading it was definitely a pleasure.
ping
The comment that it is not the "answer" is because it is. I don't think there is a real consituency for cheap lettuce and strawberries.
Good for them. I wish NM would do something but we never will as long as Richardson is our warden.
About time. This mantra abouit jobs that US workers are unwilling to fill?Forty years ago most of these jobs were filled by US citizens. But they cannot compete with workers who are willing to take low wages. Employers should have the same attitude that Henry Ford did back in the day: pay their workers wages high enough so that the workers can become customers. A construction worker should be able to buy a house that he builds.
If a business knowingly hires an illegal, they should be sued by both the state and federal government.
We have been hearing for 4 years that Bush will grant them amnesty, but we now have unmanned drones flying over the border of Mexico, we have seen large increases in the number of Border patrol agents, and much more sophisticated xray and surveillance equipment since 2001.
Not that Bush has done all he could have on this situation, but he can't do much without the support of Congress. This problem can't be solved with a stroke of a pen, it will take years
"John Bremond, president of KB Homes, said undocumented workers are vital for his industry"
If they had to use citizens to build them maybe what that company builds would be better than crap!
I wonder if Bush will try to intervene against this. Got to put willing work with willing employer you know.
"John Bremond, president of KB Homes, said undocumented workers are vital for his industry"
Yeah, they are just doing jobs Americans wouldn't want. Americans wouldn't be building trades....nah.
Put him in jail and see how that effects his business. Something tells me that he will consider his freedom "vital" for his industry
I'm not really opposed to fining companies who knowingly hire illegals but the fact is more and more companies are finding it impossible to hire workers. Last year, even with illegal immigration, our net increase in US population was less than 1%. If there are no reliable workers to work in the US then US businesses have no choice but to outsource business or fold.
Damn. That was a reasoned post...you are sure to get blasted for it.
I suppose you prefer that all the illegals collect welfare instead...
The point is that employers shouldn't be required to do the job of the border patrol.
Stop them at the border. That's the answer.
The rest is just feel good legislation, which means nothing, except burdens employers, who are d*& if they do and d&^% if they don't.
If they ask for ID, they'll get sued for discrimination, if they don't, they get fined for hiring illegals.
"you are sure to get blasted for it."
You're the only one that needs to get blasted! So far.
I know one thing, I didn't raise my Daughter with the hopes she would one day grow up and work for "Motel 6" cleaning soiled motel rooms. Now that she has her own kids, she has no plans for her two boys to did ditches. So their is a need for unskilled workers, their just has to be a better way than the one happening now
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