Business Opposition Complicates Kansas Illegal Immigration Push

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas legislators expect next year to join
a lawmakers in several states trying to keep illegal immigrants out
and to discourage businesses from hiring them.
But lawmakers pushing for a crackdown face a big obstacle in
getting Kansas to emulate Arizona and other states pursuing
immigration policies. The business community – particularly the
Kansas Chamber of Commerce – is opposed to the effort.
The chamber’s resistance creates an odd political dynamic in
Kansas. Some legislators advocating the low-tax, small-government
agenda favored by the chamber will be fighting the state’s largest
business group on immigration.
So far, the chamber has prevailed. But advocates of get-tough
measures believe they’re tapping into national frustration and
expect pressure to build on the Legislature after it opens its
annual session Jan. 10.