A BILL for an Act to create and enact chapter 34-16 of the North Dakota Century Code, related to illegal aliens and private employment; and to provide a penalty.
Impact
The legislation represents a significant shift in how employment law relates to immigration status in the state. It empowers the labor commissioner to verify work authorizations and investigate employers suspected of violations. License suspensions and revocations for non-compliance are depicted as critical enforcement measures to ensure adherence to the law. This regulation aims to deter employers from hiring unauthorized workers by imposing strict requirements for employment verification and allowing for hefty penalties for infractions.
Summary
House Bill 1527 is designed to establish regulations pertaining to the employment of unauthorized aliens in North Dakota. It mandates that private employers must possess a valid North Dakota employment license, which requires them to verify each new employee's work authorization using the federal e-verify program. This verification must occur within three business days of hiring a new employee. The bill outlines penalties for employers that knowingly employ unauthorized aliens, which can include license revocation and notification of law enforcement authorities regarding suspected violations.
Contention
Controversially, the bill's provisions could pave the way for challenges related to local enforcement and legal interpretations of what constitutes 'knowing' violations. Critics argue that such stringent measures may disproportionately impact minor employers or create an environment of fear among workers. Additionally, the requirement that the labor commissioner must inform federal authorities of suspected unauthorized workers raises concerns about the potential for workplace raids and the implications for employees' rights and workplace protections prevailing under existing laws. The bill's approach to immigration-related employment practices continues to fuel a broader debate on worker rights versus enforcement of immigration laws.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-01 of the North Dakota Century Code; relating to the deployment of the North Dakota national guard; and to declare an emergency.