AZ businesses' interest in illegal immigration dwindles

Arizona businesses seem to be losing interest in illegal immigration issues.

Public Opinion Research recently asked a sample of state businesses how critical the illegal immigration issue is to their business.

"What we found out was that only 10 percent said that it is critical," said researcher Mike O'Neil.

Another 14 percent said immigration issues are "very important," 56 percent said not important.

About 200 of 3,000 Arizona small businesses contacted responded to the Arizona Economic Indicators survey.

Three-quarters of the respondents said Arizona's employers sanctions law -- which imposes tough penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens -- has had little effect on their businesses.

"Three out of four Arizona businesses said it's having no effect whatsoever," O'Neil said. "The remainder, which was a relatively modest number, 25 percent, was divided equally among those who said it's had a positive and a negative effect."

O'Neil said the law continues to go through a "shake-down" period in which employers are discovering that the law's reach is limited and has neither a positive nor negative impact.

O'Neil added that it's possible small businesses are more preoccupied with the economy and that interest in immigration could shift, once the economy starts to recover.