Employers, entrants targeted in 2 initiatives

By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.24.2007

PHOENIX — A state lawmaker and others active in border issues plan to ask voters to punish employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers and force police to question people they stop about whether they're here legally.

Although there is already an employer-sanctions bill pending in the Legislature, with an uncertain legislative future and potential for a veto, Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, and a group of like minds have decided to take their case directly to the people.

The first initiative would yank any state licenses of companies found guilty even once of filing a false statement that they do not knowingly employ undocumented workers. That is even stricter than a "three strikes and you're out" measure approved by the House but facing an uncertain future in the Senate.