Submitted by Office of U.S. Senator Jim Banks
Banks
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the Putting American Workers First Act. This bill gives the National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute employers who hire illegal aliens.
The bill would make it an unfair labor practice to hire or unionize illegal aliens, while creating a safe harbor for employers who use E-Verify to confirm work eligibility. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R.-Ala.), Ted Budd (R.-N.C.), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) are original cosponsors of this bill.
“Hiring illegal aliens drives down American wages and pushes our workers out of good jobs,” Sen. Banks said. “If employers won’t follow the law, we’ll use every tool we have to make sure they face consequences.”
Key provisions
- Make it an unfair labor practice to hire an illegal alien.
- Make it an unfair labor practice to unionize an illegal alien.
- Add a safe harbor for employers that use E-Verify to confirm work eligibility.
- Shield employers from unfair labor practice charges for firing employees that are ineligible to work in the United States.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Background
It is illegal to hire illegal aliens in the United States. Notwithstanding this clear prohibition, employers around the country continue to employ illegal aliens and replace American workers with cheap foreign labor.
Meanwhile, instead of fighting for fair employment conditions for American workers, labor unions make it easier for employers to violate their obligations by advocating for illegal aliens. At least one labor union has declared itself a “sanctuary union.”
The National Labor Relations Board has the power to investigate and prosecute unfair labor practices by employers or unions.