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Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.18.2007
PHOENIX — A new state law intended to deny work to those here illegally will end up costing a lot of Anglo Arizonans their jobs.
That's what a group of Arizona business owners hope to convince the state's non-Hispanic majority of — that it's in their own best interest to quash laws punishing companies for knowingly hiring undocumented workers.
Mac Magruder who heads the Wake Up Arizona coalition, said Tuesday the new law will have "devastating unintended consequence" on the state's economy, and will do far more than just drive out the possible 500,000 people in Arizona illegally.
"When brown people lose their jobs, white people will lose their jobs," he said.
He noted that the law, which takes effect Jan. 1, allows a judge to suspend a firm's license to do business for up to 10 days. A second violation in three years means permanent revocation.
"When a business shuts down, where are they going to work?" asked Magruder.
Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said fears of "racial profiling" may result in "a mass exodus of workers." Wilcox, who also owns a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, said companies that lose some of their work force will be unable to stay in business and have to lay everyone else off.
Besides backing court action to overturn the law, the coalition, which now has about 15 members, hopes to persuade voters to defeat an even tougher measure that may be on the 2008 ballot, possibly by launching a competing initiative more favorable to employers.
The campaign, however, started with some name calling.
Magruder, who owns seven McDonald's franchises, said Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, architect of the law, would not negotiate in good faith during the legislative session.
"You can't reason with hatred," Magruder said. Asked later if he believes Pearce is a racist, Magruder said, "I mean, something walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I wonder if it is."
Pearce, however, noted the law punishes only firms that knowingly or intentionally hire undocumented workers, which Pearce said protects other companies that hire only legal U.S. residents from unfair competition.
He said Magruder "wanted employer amnesty."
"Anytime they run out of arguments . . . they throw out the race card," Pearce said. "These are folks who simply don't want the law enforced."
Magruder said companies try to follow proper procedures, checking Social Security numbers and filling out federal hiring checklists. But he conceded someone must be hiring people who crossed the border illegally.
"What happens is, if you even start questioning those documents you can be sued for profiling," Magruder said. "The business guy is really between a rock and hard place."
Coalition members said the state should stay out of issues surrounding illegal immigration. But Gov. Janet Napolitano, who signed the measure, said that isn't an option.
"The failure of this administration, this Congress to pass immigration reform in a comprehensive manner has serious repercussions for the states," she said Tuesday.
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