PHOENIX, July 3 (UPI) -- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed a law revoking business licenses from companies for repeat hiring of illegal immigrants.
Napolitano described the law, which takes effect Jan. 1, as "the most aggressive action in the country," The Arizona Republic reported.
"We're dealing somewhat in uncharted territory right now -- uncharted territory because of the inability of the Congress to act," Napolitano said. "The states will take the lead, and Arizona will take the lead among the states."
Under the legislation, the penalty for a first-time conviction for hiring undocumented workers would be license suspension. Licenses would be revoked for repeat offenses.
About 250,000 people are believed to be living illegally in Arizona, most of them migrants from Mexico, and Central and South America.
Hispanic and business groups oppose the law. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce called it "a crippling blow to Arizona business."
