Drop houses AZ's new target in fight against illegal immigration

JACQUES BILLEAUD

Published: 01.16.2008

State officials are picking a new target in trying to battle illegal immigration in Arizona: the "drop houses" where human smugglers hold customers until they pay up.

Gov. Janet Napolitano, while addressing the opening day of the Legislature on Monday, said the state should go after property managers who knowingly rent homes to smugglers.

"Strengthen the law, so we can get to that middleman," said the Democratic governor, who offered no specific suggestions on how the state should hold such rental agents accountable.

On another immigration point, the governor also expanded her list of suggested changes to a state law that prohibits businesses from knowingly employing illegal immigrants. She said authorities shouldn't have to waste their time pursuing anonymous complaints filed by competitors or disgruntled employees.

Concerning drop houses, the governor posted an executive order Monday that lets state real estate regulators and state police share information on drop houses so they can prepare a report and make recommendations on the problem.