The Legal Arizona Workers Act (2007) requires every employer in Arizona, including Maricopa County businesses of any size, to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm new-hire employment authorization. Knowing or intentional violations risk business license suspension or revocation.
ARS Section 23-212 makes it unlawful to knowingly or intentionally employ unauthorized workers and requires use of E-Verify for all new hires after January 1, 2008. The Maricopa County Attorneys Office investigates complaints. A first knowing violation triggers a 10-day license suspension and three-year probation; a second knowing violation permanently revokes business licenses. Intentional violations carry harsher first-offense penalties. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld LAWA in Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting (2011). Independent contractors are exempt; employers should retain Form I-9 and E-Verify confirmation numbers for at least three years.
Maricopa County Attorney files superior court actions for license suspension or revocation under ARS 23-212. First knowing violation: 10-day suspension plus probation. Second: permanent revocation. Federal Form I-9 penalties apply separately on top.
See how Mesa's e-verify mandates rules stack up against other locations.
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