Jobs debate may heat up as sanctions law is enforced

The Associated Press

Published: 01.02.2008

PHOENIX - A year of argument has done little to quell disputes over how to confront Arizona businesses that employ illegal immigrants.

The wrangling is expected to continue as a new state law took effect Tuesday that prohibits businesses from knowingly employing illegal immigrants and imposes tough penalties on violators.

As the courts consider a challenge to the law, the Arizona Legislature is poised to pick up the issue again in 2008, this time to fix perceived shortcomings in the employer sanctions law.

Lawmakers said changes could include heading off expected attempts by some businesses to make end runs around the law, softening penalties against violators and clarifying whether the law applies to new hires or all workers on the payroll.

Attempts also are afoot to gather enough petition signatures to put two employer sanctions proposals on the November ballot.