Firms watch migrant bill in Arizona

“With Congress set to hammer out a new federal immigration bill starting next week, some local business owners welcome the effort but remain wary that any bill will meets their needs.

For employers who rely on immigrant labor, the most sought-after provisions are a guest-worker program and providing a path to legalization for millions undocumented residents already here. They also cited the need for stronger border security and fraud-resistant identification cards that would allow them to verify who is authorized to work here.

“There’s an awful lot that has happened in the last few months to make this as poignant an issue as it has become,” said Steve Chucri, president of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association, referring to the past few months of immigrant marches and boycotts and a prime-time address to the nation by President Bush. “In an election year, to walk away and do nothing would be a disservice.”"

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