Now several bills are before Georgia lawmakers that would address the same issue. In Georgia, an estimated 4 percent of workers are undocumented immigrants, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.

One of Sen. Chip Rogers?EUR??,,????'??? bills would bar contractors employing ineligable workers from getting government contracts, while the other would prevent private employers from declaring illegal workers’ wages as business expenses.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Anne Waters said her organization objects to having businesses play an enforcement role when it comes to immigration.

Similar legislation was not approved in the 11 states in which it was introduced in 2005, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.