Proposed Legislation Cracks Down on Hiring Illegal Immigrant Workers

Republican Senators Jim Banks of Indiana and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana have introduced the Putting American Workers First Act, legislation that would make hiring illegal immigrants an unfair labor practice under federal law. The bill would grant the National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute cases involving employers who recruit illegal immigrants and labor unions that attempt to organize them.

Senator Banks stated that hiring illegal aliens drives down American wages and pushes workers out of good jobs, emphasizing that employers who won't follow the law should face consequences through every available tool.

Currently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes the lead on investigating businesses that hire unauthorized workers through civil audits, criminal arrests of employers, and administrative arrests of workers. This new proposal would create an additional avenue for investigation and prosecution by empowering the NLRB to police businesses.

The bill would also shield employers from unfair labor practice charges for firing illegal immigrants and protect employers who use E-Verify from liability for hiring unauthorized workers

Key Points

• Establishes NLRB jurisdiction over cases involving hiring of illegal immigrants as unfair labor practices
• Makes unionization of undocumented workers an unfair labor practice
• Shields employers using E-Verify from liability for hiring violations
• Protects employers from unfair labor practice charges when firing illegal immigrants
• Targets unions that have emerged as advocates for migrant workers
• Original cosponsors include Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Ted Budd (R-NC)
• Approximately 14 million unauthorized immigrants currently in U.S., with 9.7 million in workforce

Author: Mary McCue Bell
Source: Washington Times
Link: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/nov/28/new-legislation-would-crack-hiring-illegal-immigrant-workers/