Sacramento approves sanctions against Ariz.
by Associated Press (June 16th, 2010 @ 2:47pm)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento is joining the list of cities boycotting Arizona to protest the state's stringent new anti-illegal immigration law set to take effect next month.

The city council voted 6-1 Tuesday to forbid city employees from attending conferences in Arizona, or doing business with companies based there.

Companies affected include Phoenix-based Sundt Construction, part of a downtown revitalization proposal and the lead firm on a library construction job.

To supporters of the measure, this was a civil rights issue. But opponents felt the council should concentrate on local matters.

San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland have passed similar measures.

The Arizona law makes it a crime to be an illegal immigrant and directs police to check the status of anyone suspected of being here illegally.