Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board member Lorena Van Assche speaks at a press conference of faith and business leaders opposing HCR 2060 on May 8. 2024.Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board member Lorena Van Assche said during a press conference Wednesday the chamber opposes the Protecting Arizona Against Illegal Immigration Act because it does not make economic sense for the state.
“Our state can ill afford the costly litigation that will ensue, should this measure pass, and we should not forget the specter of SB 1070, and the stain it left on our state's economy,” she said. “E-verify is already the law of the land. And Arizona has robust fraud and other criminal statutes that are currently applicable to the behaviors this referendum purports to address.”
The proposed referral would expand the E-verify requirement to cover industries previously exempt, such as some jobs in construction, agriculture, hospitality, and would increase legal penalties for employers.
The proposal is similar to a bill previously vetoed by the Gov. Katie Hobbs. If approved, it would go to voters during the November general elections, bypassing the governor’s vetoing power.
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