Legal and Political Fallout: Who Pays the Price?
Federal authorities have typically avoided targeting employers for fear of political blowback—and because laws require proof that the business “affirmatively knew” a worker was undocumented. Yet as eVerify and other ID systems come under scrutiny (with workers often using borrowed identities), the threshold for employer liability is under review.
“Employer enforcement makes sense, but it has political impact on both sides,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. “Many entrepreneurs who are Republican by inclination would protest mightily. They can’t have it both ways. Such a move would reverberate through Congress.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., blasted Trump’s approach, claiming on X:
“This administration just takes care of its donors. Won’t prosecute companies for hiring illegal immigrants.”
But Homan is adamant that civil and criminal penalties are coming for companies that knowingly skirt the law. This week alone, ICE raided four workplaces in Los Angeles’ garment district. “Congress has a job to do,” Homan said. “We’re going to do worksite enforcement operations until there’s a deal made.”
