New DHS Regs on Employer Sanctions

Seeking to strengthen enforcement against businesses that knowinglyhire undocumented immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security on Fridayproposed new regulations to clarify employers’ responsibilities inmaking sure workers are legal.

The effort comes as the Bush administration attempts to burnish itsenforcement credentials with conservatives in Congress who are balkingat the president’s push for a sweeping immigration overhaul.

The regulations outline the steps businesses should take if notifiedby the Social Security Administration that a current or prospectiveemployee’s name and Social Security number don’t match the government’srecords.

Employers who follow the rules would be granted a “safe harbor” andspared prosecution if it was later determined they had hired an undocumentedimmigrant. Click here.

bh