Appeal planned after judge upholds new sanctions law

The Associated Press

Published: 02.08.2008

PHOENIX - A federal judge on Thursday upheld an Arizona law that prohibits businesses from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants and yanks the business licenses of those that do.

U.S. District Judge Neil Wake dismissed a lawsuit filed by business groups that argued federal immigration laws severely restrict Arizona's ability to punish people who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.

The law won approval last year from the Republican-majority Legislature and Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano amid frustration over what they said were inadequate federal efforts to confront illegal immigration.

Many cities across the country have passed similar measures, though some have been rejected in court.

Business groups including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry argued that the Arizona law unconstitutionally infringes on federal immigration powers.

Wake concluded that there is no conflict with federal immigration law, which he said specifically lets states regulate business licensing.