Tip of the iceberg

Arizona's new law that slaps on sanctions for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants was predictable, says Craig Regelbrugge of the American Nursery and Landscape Association and co-chair of the AgJobs coalition.

One of the things the Arizona law does is compel employers to use the pilot system to electronically verify Social Security numbers, but he noted that pilot system doesn't have all the kinks worked out yet and is not ready for a full rollout.

The failure of Congress to act on comprehensive immigration reform will mean more states will take it upon themselves to write laws that clamp down on illegal immigration.

"The place where both parties most easily find the lowest common denominator is blaming the employer, and that's what we see in the Arizona law." he said.

TK: Regelbrugge said some lawmakers may have remorse over their failure to act on comprehensive immigration reform and could be open to AgJobs on some legislative vehicle. The industry would prefer not to rely on a politician's remorse, but here we are.