PHOENIX —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Arizona’s law, which took effect Jan. 1 and includes a “sudden-death” penalty for businesses found to have knowingly hired illegal immigrants, is being challenged on two fronts in the courts. Lawmakers in Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska, who are considering immigration-related sanctions on employers, are watching those lawsuits and the effects of the statewide statute on businesses and labor markets closely. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Arizona, which is expected to begin enforcement in February if the court challenges fail, has followed the lead of Colorado and Oklahoma in passing laws aimed at stricter enforcement of immigration rules. They’re among the growing number of jurisdictions taking action to fill a vacuum left by Congress’ failure last year to craft reforms to federal immigration law. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Steve Chucri, president and chief executive of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said confusion still surrounds his state’s new law. The ARHA has joined forces with 12 other business groups, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, to support litigation blocking enforcement. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“We can’t be foolish and tell our members not to do anything while we wait for the courts,” Chucri said. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
He said the other states that border Mexico—California, New Mexico and Texas—also are leaders in creating jobs, and labor pools there and elsewhere may see gains as a result of the fear Arizona’s statute has engendered in its Latino workforce. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“We’ve witnessed some flight already,” Chucri said, “with potential workers fleeing to states like Colorado and New Mexico because they don’t want to take the risk. Many have papers, but they don’t trust people to not make a mistake.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
The Pew Hispanic Center has estimated that as many as 12 million illegal immigrants are in the United States and that about 12 percent of those, or 1.4 million people, work in foodservice jobs. According to the nonprofit research group, 20 percent of all cooks in the U.S. workforce as of 2005 were “unauthorized migrant” workers, as were 17 percent of all “food preparation workers” and 23 percent of all dishwashers. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
The Arizona law encourages people to report to county sheriffs or county attorneys any business suspected of employing an illegal immigrant, and county attorneys can seek to suspend and ultimately revoke the business license of an employer who knowingly hires an illegal immigrant. The measure also requires all Arizona businesses to use E-Verify, a federal online database, to confirm that new hires—and possibly current employees—have valid Social Security numbers and are eligible for employment. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Indiana state Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, said in early January that he plans to introduce similar legislation in that state. Companies found to have hired illegal immigrants would be placed on probation for three years. If it was learned they’d hired illegal immigrants while on probation, the employers could lose their license to do business in Indiana. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Kansas and Missouri lawmakers have said they also are considering such a law. A proposed bill in the Nebraska Legislature would bar businesses found to have violated immigration law from qualifying for tax breaks from the state. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Before Arizona took action, Colorado and Oklahoma enacted statutes calling for enhanced enforcement of immigration laws. Oklahoma’s, which took effect last Nov. 1, denies illegal immigrants state identification and requires all the state’s government agencies to verify applicants’ citizenship before allowing benefits. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Jim Hopper, president and chief executive of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, said operators in his state are dealing with another requirement that they vet employees’ documentation. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“Operators are having to get used to complying with this new immigration law,” Hopper said. “It’s having an effect on the workforce. We’re still looking for people to fill jobs.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Some Oklahoma legislators already are considering changes in the state’s immigration enforcement law. State Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, has vowed to introduce legislation to repeal portions of Oklahoma’s law, saying it stifles economic growth and has caused an exodus of legal workers. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
A study by the Pew Hispanic Center in December found that “Hispanics in the United States are feeling a range of negative effects from the increased public attention and stepped-up enforcement measures that have accompanied the growing national debate over illegal immigration.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“Just over half of all Hispanic adults in the U.S. worry that they, a family member or a close friend could be deported,” the study said. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Chucri of Arizona’s restaurant association said confusion remains about whether its law applies just to workers hired after Jan. 1. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“That’s creating a lot of consternation among our members,” he said. “Restaurant operators aren’t sure whether it also applies to current employees.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
The use of E-Verify, which is operated by the federal Department of Homeland Security, can be costly, estimated at about $1,500 to $2,000 per restaurant, Chucri said. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“If you are busy running your own store,” he said, “do you have to hire someone to run through all the E-Verify? There are likely some tangential costs with this, and nobody really understands it until it is fully in place.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
While business groups await the outcome of lawsuits challenging Arizona’s law, most county attorneys in the state have said they don’t expect to start enforcing it until mid-February. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
Don Ellis, owner of the Landmark restaurant in Mesa, Ariz., and former chairman of the ARHA, said he has signed up for E-Verify. He lamented the fact that, though his restaurant has not yet hired any new employees, the law has created another layer of bureaucracy. —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
“I’m not going to be hiring anyone even slightly suspect,” Ellis said. “I’ve got Hispanics who have been working here for 15 or 20 years, and they are like family. I know they are legal. That’s another problem with this law, as it’s ‘profiling’ a certain worker.” —As employers here bemoan defections of wary workers to neighboring states, a widening stream of proposed sanctions against employers is flowing nationwide in the wake of the new Arizona law that threatens to shut down businesses employing undocumented immigrants.
