Have you heard the one about the criminal employer who admits to hiring illegal aliens – a federal crime – then finds a federal judge to hide his identity to sue to stop enforcement of state law that makes it illegal to violate federal law?
Is this what Bush meant when he ran on a “smaller government” platform?
East Valley Tribune – Pheonix, Arizona
Court will hide ID of illegal immigrant employer
A federal court will keep secret the identity of an Arizona business owner who admits in a sworn statement to hiring illegal immigrants.
The business owner, who remains anonymous, has filed an affidavit in federal court saying he was employing people not in this country legally last year when the lawsuit was filed, and he intends to continue to do so even with the new state law that took effect Jan. 1.That law allows a judge to suspend or revoke any state licenses of firms that knowingly hire undocumented workers.
Attorney David Selden, who represents businesses challenging the law, said the purpose of the affidavit was to prove to U.S. District Court Judge Neil Wake that the law will harm at least one company.
The judge had previously indicated he might not be able to rule on the validity of the law without some proof someone could get in legal trouble for disobeying it.
Selden said the move is justified because the business owner faces both the threat of prosecution if his identity becomes known, as well as the possibility of actual physical harm.
Read the rest here.