Illegal Aliens and Punitive Damages

In this political year, illegal immigration has been a hot topic. In some cases debates over the immigration issue have intersected with punitive damages issues. In Arizona, voters passed an initiative in 2006 that prohibits illegal aliens from being able to receive punitive damages in any lawsuit they bring. In Iowa, a proposed new law would call for employers who continue to hire illegal aliens as employees to be subject to punitive damages in addition to other civil fines.