Legislative Update

Last week, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed sweeping legislation against employers of undocumented workers with a law she considers "the most aggressive action in the country."   

The Arizona Republic reports that the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2008, and will suspend business licenses for the first violation, and permanent revocation on a second.  Employers will be required to check the legal status of their employees through the Basic Pilot Program federal database.  The law significantly raises the stakes for over a quarter-million undocumented immigrants believed to reside in Arizona , as well as the businesses that employ them.  

"We’re dealing somewhat in uncharted territory right now – uncharted territory because of the inability of the Congress to act," Napolitano said, referring to the failure of a comprehensive immigration-reform measure being considered by the U.S. Senate.  "The states will take the lead, and Arizona will take the lead among the states."  

The governor is calling for the legislature to pass additional legislation to exempt facilities like hospitals and utilities, the closing of which might present a threat to the public.

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