Arizona's employer sanctions law received a green light Thursday from federal Judge Neil Wake when he ruled against business groups and others in their suit to stop it. Known as the Legal Arizona Workers Act, the law targets illegal workers by getting tough on employers. It requires employers to use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program and companies discovered to have hired illegal workers could lose their business licenses.

The Arizona Contractors Association Inc., the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and other groups sued to stop the Legal Arizona Workers Act, which took affect at the beginning of the year. The groups plan to appeal the law, the Arizona Republic reported.

Businesses' concerns include a lengthier process for approving candidates to fill jobs and extra cost and time needed to comply. There are also concerns over the accuracy of E-Verify.