Changes for Nation, but Not for Arizona

Voters nationwide may have wanted big changes in Washington, but Arizonans opted to stay the course on the state’s “get-tough” approach to immigration, and they backed the local real estate and construction industries on several ballot initiatives.

Voters continue to embrace the get-tough stance when it comes to immigration, including the defeat of Prop. 202. {snip} Had it passed, Prop. 202 would have increased penalties on under-the-table businesses and document fraud, but also would have given companies using federal verification systems more outs if caught hiring illegal immigrants.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas both won re-election over opponents who promised a less strident approach to immigration controls. {snip}

The defeat of 202 means the existing state employer sanctions law stays intact, and the pair can continue their immigration enforcement efforts, including raids on businesses they think are hiring undocumented workers.

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