U.S. firms push back against immigration sanctions

By Tim Gaynor PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona steel fabricator Sheridan Bailey was frustrated by a state law that punished employers who hire illegal immigrants so he joined local employers and business owners to change it. After behind-the-scenes lobbying from employers, the Arizona law was amended by Gov. Janet Napolitano in May to provide clarification and relief for businesses facing new restrictions and penalties. "We want a balanced and reasonable approach to immigration reform," said Bailey, the president of Ironco Enterprises. "We don't want knee-jerk reactions to complex issues ... that affect the health of our economy." Immigration has turned many business into activists across the country and it has stirred strong passions in the United States in this election year. In the first half of 2008, legislatures in 39 states... [read full story]