Battle brewing over employer sanctions lawsuit

FROM STAFF AND AP REPORTS

December 28, 2007 - 10:52AM

The state Attorney General's Office and attorneys of Yuma and 14 other Arizona counties are fighting with attorneys who are trying to keep secret the names of employers who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

The county attorneys and the attorney general filed a motion last week asking U.S. District Court Judge Neil Wake to deny the business groups' request to keep the names private.

"A strong presumption exists in favor of openness in court proceedings, including identification of parties and witnesses by their real names," Attorney General Terry Goddard wrote in response to the request for secrecy.

Anonymity is usually granted in cases where there is "highly sensitive" or private information, such as disputes involving abortion, mental illness, children, birth control and religion, he wrote. "Embarrassment or economic harm is not enough to justify anonymity," he contended.

Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, the prime force behind the employer sanctions law, objected to the attempt to keep the names secret.

"This is so egregious," he said. "We all know what's going on: They're illegal employers."

After years of employers saying they don't knowingly hire illegal workers, Pearce said, the sudden change of tune is jarring and should have consequences.