Chamber supports worker program

One of the state’s leading business lobbying groups is laying out its agenda for an immigrant guest-worker program, and it’s getting some help from two members of Arizona’s congressional delegation.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce is hosting a twohour public meeting Thursday to formally explain its support for providing illegal immigrants an acceptable method of staying and working in the United States. Chamber officials will be joined by Reps. Jeff Flake and Jim Kolbe, both Arizona Republicans who are sponsoring such legislation.

"There are 10 million people (illegally) in this country and they are in the shadows," said chamber spokesman Farrell Quinlan. "We’re not going to be able to round them up and deport them. That just is not practical. We need to get those people to come into the system, for homeland security reasons, and bring them into the economy so they are paying taxes."

The chamber’s formal position largely mirrors the plan written by Flake, Kolbe and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Quinlan said a major difference is the chamber hasn’t endorsed a monetary penalty for immigrants already in the United States before they could qualify for a guestworker visa. Instead, the chamber wants income taxes withheld from wages for people until they qualify.

The chamber’s stance is controversial among its members and other business communities. Some business owners and political leaders argue a guest-worker program, even with the proposed fine, would be another version of immigrant amnesty. They want the United States to focus on stopping illegal immigrants at the borders and encourages those already here to return to their home countries.

"If you put a stamp of approval on those who are here illegally, it’s like opening the (doors) to a bank and saying, ‘You criminals come on in and bring bags with you to take all the money you want,’ " said Tony DeLeano, a painting contractor from New River who plans to attend the Town Hall.

Several business owners who spoke with the Tribune about their opposition to a guest-worker program said they don’t want to be identified publicly because they fear retaliation from competitors and customers who rely on immigrant labor.

While Thursday’s event is called an Immigration Town Hall, Quinlan admitted the chamber isn’t including critics of guest-worker proposals among the speakers.

"There are so many other voices on immigration, I’m not sure who you would pick," Quinlan said.

Guest-worker meeting

What: Immigration Town Hall by Arizona Chamber of Commerce

When: 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 122 N. Second St., Phoenix

Cost: $30 per person, breakfast will be served

For tickets: Contact Carie Mudgett at cmudgett@azchamber.com or (602) 248-9172, Ext. 114