Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB1123

Introduced
3/25/25  

Caption

College Employment Accountability Act

Impact

The implications of SB1123 on state laws may be significant, especially in the context of educational funding and immigration compliance. By denying federal financial aid to institutions employing unauthorized aliens, the bill aims to incentivize schools to adhere to immigration laws, thereby impacting their operational capabilities. This could lead to a reduction in available resources for affected institutions, affecting educational opportunities for students enrolled in those programs.

Summary

SB1123, titled the College Employment Accountability Act, seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by introducing stricter regulations concerning the employment of unauthorized aliens in institutions of higher education. Specifically, the bill prohibits such institutions from receiving any federal student assistance or institutional aid if they are found to be violating immigration laws. Furthermore, it mandates that institutions must participate in the E-Verify Program to qualify for any federal funds under this act.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB1123 include concerns regarding its potential effects on student enrollment and institutional employment practices. Critics argue that the bill could disproportionately harm schools with diverse student bodies or those serving disadvantaged communities, as many of these may employ faculty and staff from immigrant backgrounds. Additionally, the requirement to participate in the E-Verify Program raises questions about the administrative burden on educational institutions and the logistical feasibility of compliance, particularly for smaller colleges and universities.

Congress_id

119-S-1123

Policy_area

Education

Introduced_date

2025-03-25

Companion Bills

US HB2367

Same As College Employment Accountability Act

Previously Filed As

US SB3978

College Employment Accountability Act

US HB7712

College Employment Accountability Act

US SB156

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

US HB10415

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that employment authorization is only available to aliens who are lawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes.

US HB319

Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the information from the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

US SB2785

Higher Wages for American Workers Act of 2023

US SB4529

Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2024

US SB5309

SAFE Contracting Act Secure And Fair Employment in Federal Contracting Act

US HB10034

Border Security and Immigration Reform Act

US HB2640

Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 Legal Workforce Act Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023 Visa Overstays Penalties Act Protection of Children Act of 2023 Ensuring United Families at the Border Act Border Safety and Migrant Protection Act of 2023 Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2023

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