Arizona firms brace for immigration sanctions law

[Zywiec]

By Tim Gaynor

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona steel fabricator Sheridan Bailey has been laying off employees in recent weeks even though he has plenty of orders on the books.

His firm, Ironco Enterprises, shed around 10 percent of its 100-strong workforce to get in line with a state law going into effect on Tuesday that targets employers who hire illegal immigrants.

"We have let some people go who we came to know were not properly documented. So in that respect the law is already doing what the framers expected," he said.

-snip-

The law, passed days after a federal immigration overhaul died in the U.S. Senate in June, punishes first-time violators who knowingly hire undocumented workers with a 10-day suspension of their business licenses.

A second offense means they lose it.

-snip-

Many Arizonans support the new law. They say it takes away the lure of jobs for illegal immigrants and clamps down on employers unfairly profiting from cheap migrant labor.

"The only people who should be nervous are employers who hire illegals at cheap rates to gain unfair advantage over their competitors. They should be worrying a lot," said John Kavanagh, a Republican state lawmaker who co-sponsored the bill.


http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2946397520071231?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Finally someone is punishing the employers.

[lonestarnot]

1. Skinheads out with cameras this a.m. taking pics of people who hire dayworkers from the dayworker

center.

[Zywiec]

2. I don't understand their point. Who cares about their pictures? n/t

[lonestarnot]

3. Law enforcement?

:shrug: The only point is that they know how to push the "shudder" button.

[DesertRat]

5. If they're taking pictures, it's just an attempt to intimidate

"Anyone can make a complaint about suspected violations, but authorities have stressed that it should have a reasonable basis. They want to avoid discriminatory complaints that are based on a general suspicion because, for example, workers don't speak English or aren't White.

Making a frivolous complaint to authorities is a misdemeanor crime. A conviction could carry up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine."

http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special46/articles/1128biz-sanctions101four.html

[ChazII]

4. I agree

Finally a state is punishing the employers.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Agreed . . .

Punishing poor people who want an opportunity to make money is not the way to go about changing the immigration issue in this country. If jobs don't exist for people who come here outside the bounds of the laws - then we will most likely reduce the numbers of those coming here. This is a good start.


Now I hope that employer doesn't expect us to feel sorry for him . . . I know too many people that live out in the Great Lakes (I'm from there originally) - I bet they would love to come and live and work in Arizona for a fair wage as they face high heating costs in the Lake Effect Zone for the next three months.

I hope he took out an ad in the Rochester D & C, Buffalo News, Cleveland and Detroit newspapers.

[rocktivity]

7. Hopefully, the law applies to subcontractors, too

otherwise, the hiring can simply be outsourced.

:headbang:
rocknation

[JustAnotherGen]

8. Now I see why

People would want to work for them . . .Even without papers:

http://www.ironco.net/employment.html

BENEFITS:
Tuition reimbursement available to all employees This is good.

Advancement opportunities at all levels This is good.

Six paid holidays Isn't this just par for the course?

One week paid vacation after one year; two weeks after three years This AIN'T So Good:wtf:

Competitive pay as well as bonuses for individual contributions I'd be interested in knowing what their minimum wage is for an entry-level position - i.e. They need to define competitive.

Medical benefits This is good. . .if they pick up part of the tab

On the job training opportunities – Contact us about our apprenticeship program! This is good.


JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Fitters
Welders
Parts preparation personnel
Yard and material handling personnel
Project managers
Project coordinators

I quadruple, triple, double, dog dare someone to call and inquire about one of those positions . . .

[TahitiNut]

9. It's the only approach that makes any sense.

The laws AND the system are 'gamed' to enable trafficking in human labor - the commoditization of human beings. The SOLE beneficiaries of corporate colonial oppression in the plantations economies in Latin America (and elsewhere) are those harnessing the people to their wheels of greed.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Amen

My issue with "Illegal Immigration" - it marginalizes, dehumanizes and essentially 'enslaves' people. I want the people who benefit from people living in fear to put food on their tables - to pay.

[madokie]

11. we have a new law on the books now that seems to be making a difference

http://www.lwvok.org/ for some reason I can't find the actual law so heres this link

when I say making a difference I am seeing more of what appears to be u.s. citizens on the construction jobs around here. One company who will remain unnamed by me has actually found they can do the work with a lesser number of bodies and with less bodies on the job site it is safer. anyways I'm glad to see Arizona go after the employers as our new law does rather than the employees themselves. Leave the individuals to decide the next best course of action for themselves. Illegal immigration is an issue that needs attention. I am a decendant of Ellis Island immigrants myself.

[riverdeep]

12. This is the side of the immigration issue the right doesn't largely talk about.

Except, to his credit, Lou Dobbs, although I think he calls himself independent. Mostly, they blame the 'brown horde' taking everything over, and fail to mention the sweet honey luring them here in the first place.

[High Plains]

13. Good luck, Arizona.

From the article in the OP:

Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, signed the measure into law despite voicing concern that it was a business "death penalty."

A coalition of business groups filed suit to block the measure, arguing that it will be harmful to local businesses. A U.S. District Court threw out the challenge earlier this month, but a new suit has since been filed.

Lawyers opposed to the employer sanctions law say that it is unconstitutional and is open to abuse by people making malicious anonymous complaints. They warn that it will also make Arizona less competitive nationally.

"(Already) we have had businesses shut down, businesses that will not go ahead with acquisitions. It is going to get worse before it gets better," said Julie Pace, one of the lawyers bringing the employers' suit.

"Arizona will get bypassed economically. We will be known as tough but stupid from an economic perspective," she said.

[ChazII]

14. Both the Super Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl

will be held in the Phoenix area. I wonder if this new law will have any effect.