Immigration Bill Sent to Governor

(State Capitol, Phoenix) The Arizona Legislature gave final approval to a bill limiting where day laborers can solicit work, marking the first significant piece of legislation tackling illegal immigration to head to the governor's desk. HB2589, sponsored by Rep. John Kavanagh, expands a misdemeanor criminal trespass crime to include knowingly standing on or adjacent to the public right-of-way and soliciting personal employment while disrupting traffic. The bipartisan bill passed the House in March and went through the Senate last week without changes. The bill exempts juveniles from the provisions. "Day laborers create traffic and safety issues and this bill looks to address those problems," said Kavanagh, a Republican who represents Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. In addition, many of the day laborers are illegal immigrants and operate in an underground economy. "The street corner has become the back alley of our economy," Kavanagh said. The bill will be sent to the governor's desk for consideration.