AZ Employer Sanctions Driver Fires Back at Critics of New State Law

By Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal of Phoenix

The Arizona state lawmaker leading the charge for the new state law that punishes employers who hire illegal immigrants is firing back at business critics of the measure.

A number of business executives critical of Arizona's new employer sanctions law have taken aim at Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa.

Business critics said Pearce's immigration stance will drive Hispanic workers from the state and put legitimate employers out of business for unintentional mistakes. They also contend the new sanctions law is racist against Mexicans.

Pearce counters that businesses that "play by the rules" will not be hurt by the sanctions law. He points out that only employers who "knowingly or intentionally" hire illegal immigrants could lose their state business licenses. This counters some business arguments that smaller firms and major employers could be shut down for unintentional hiring mistakes.

Pearce said states are within their rights to enforce immigration measures; that Hispanic businesses and workers are protected under existing anti-discrimination statutes; and that businesses hiring illegal immigrants are looking for cheap, under-the-table labor to gain unfair advantages over legitimate firms.

Pearce is a target of Wake Up Arizona, a new business group opposed to the sanctions law. Chairman Mac McGruder and others involved with the group have criticized Pearce, saying his immigration views are too extreme. They also point out that some right-wing immigration activists tend to be anti-Mexican and anti-Hispanic.

Last year, Pearce apologized after he forwarded to supporters an e-mail containing a commentary on the news media from a neo-Nazi group. The Republican said he was not aware the item had come from such a group.

A number of business organizations have filed suit challenging the new state sanctions law, which was approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Pearce said in an e-mail to The Business Journal that the state law is within federal and state constitutional bounds, that illegal immigration needs to be curtailed, and that public opinion polls show voters support employer sanctions.

From: The Business Journal of Phoenix (www.bizjournals.com)