It wasn’t long after Janet Napolitano vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal to solicit work on street corners that the criticism began. J.D. Hayworth, ex-congressman from the Arizona 5th district, fielded calls on the subject during his new radio show on KFYI 550 AM. He received a strong response from his listeners.
The vast majority of the calls were negative, and the local callers repeatedly told stories of intimidation and even claimed to have been victims of criminal activity by illegal immigrants. Hayworth was also against the veto, calling it “disappointing”.
Bills that place limitations on the activities of illegal immigrants have been popular in Arizona. In November, voters overwhelmingly passed Prop. 300, which denies social services to illegal immigrants living in the state. After a brief legal challenge, that law has now taken effect.
Napolitano said she vetoed the bill because she felt it was too broad, and that the section excluding minors would probably not be constitutional. Republicans countered that work solicitation on street corners snarled traffic and affected safety.