Court: Businesses can't use anonymity in fight vs. hiring law

By Howard Fischer

CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX — A federal judge on Monday refused to allow business owners to file anonymous complaints about the effect the state's new employer sanctions law will have on them.

Judge Neil Wake said the companies challenging the law now admit they no longer need the statements to pursue their challenge to the law, which took effect Jan. 1.

That includes one from a man who admitted he knowingly hired undocumented workers last year — already a violation of federal law — and intended to continue to do so despite the new state law.

Wake said that admission means he will not allow the filing of the anonymous affidavits.

The move comes as Wake is set to hear arguments Wednesday over the legality of the statute, which allows a judge to suspend or revoke any state licenses of firms that knowingly hire people not in this country legally.