Second. it provides for the relief from the civil penalties for a first offense under the bill if a business violates a particular rule regarding the employment checks as long as the employer acted in good faith. This will protect companies that are doing their best to follow this complicated new system. but miss some part of it one time. Finally. the amendment provides a safe harbor for contractors who have a subcontractor that hires an illegal alien. This ensures that general contractors will not be held liable for the actions of a subcontractor when they are not aware that the sub Is hiring illegals. Mr. Chairman. the government requires that schools teach students whether they are legal or not. Hospitals are required to treat patients whether they are legal or not. Let us not make business the police of illegal immigration. Right now we have laws and serious penalties on the books that prohibit people from entering our country. and that prevents businesses from hiring those here illegally. We need to be careful about requiring businesses to help us do our enforcement work. Enforcement of existing laws is absolutely necessary. but we need to make sure the government is doing its part. Many times partnering with business to help address the problem may be a better approach than imposing severe fines and everincreasing penalties on business. We have a problem with illegal immigration that has been decades in the making. Although this legislation is not perfect. we must begin addressing these problems before they grow even worse. True leadership sometimes involves doing things that may be unpopular. but they are right.
Keywords matched
illegal immigration illegal alien