On the heels of my previous article in which I predicted the proliferation of state and local laws to fill the vacuum left by the failure of the Senate to agree on immigration reform comes news of a new statute from Arizona. In a July 3 article, New York Times correspondent Randal C. Archibold reported the following…
Expressing frustration with the lack of a federal immigration law overhaul, Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona signed a bill yesterday providing what are thought to be the toughest state sanctions in the country against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.
Ms. Napolitano, a Democrat, called the bill flawed and suggested that the Arizona Legislature reconvene to repair problems with it, but she nevertheless moved forward “because Congress has failed miserably,” she wrote in a statement.
Although immigration law is clearly federal jurisdiction, last week’s failure in the Senate will spawn many similar laws by state and local governments. This is only the beginning.
Raul Ramos y Sanchez
