For Immediate Release

July 27, 2006

 

HUMASON COSPONSORS BILL STOPPING STATE SPENDING

FOR CONTRACTORS THAT HIRE ILLEGAL WORKERS

 

Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, joined his colleagues in filing legislation that would prohibit the Commonwealth from doing business with employers who willfully employ illegal immigrants.

The sponsors of this bi-partisan measure are pushing for its passage before the end of the current legislative session July 31.

“Currently, there are no state requirements beyond the basic regulations of the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act for employers to verify immigration status,” Humason said.  “Thus, employers are only required to comply with the Federal requirements, which provide little, if any verification of an employee’s status. Given this situation, the Commonwealth is likely employing companies that hire illegal immigrants.”

The bill, entitled “An Act to Promote Fair Employment and Security in the Commonwealth” comes on the heels of widespread media reports of employers doing business with the state hiring workers with questionable or illegal immigration status.

The bill requires the Commonwealth and all businesses that contract with the state to ascertain and verify the immigration or citizenship status of their employees through available federal mechanisms. Failure to verify will result in the suspension or loss of contracts with the state.

Representative Humason said, “The bottom line is that illegal immigrants are hurting our businesses that are operating by the rules and it is time for the state to make certain that it does not directly or indirectly employ illegal immigrants. It is simply unfair to our citizens and legitimate contractors that the Commonwealth is in essence subsidizing illegal activity by allowing tax dollars to be funneled to those who are working under the table and without proper documentation.”

Requirements for verification of immigration and/or citizenship status in criminal proceedings are also included in the bill. Specifically, a person who is incarcerated for driving under the influence of intoxicating substances or a felony and any defendant appearing before the court will have their identification checked.

Additionally, the legislation targets the issue of false identification, imposing penalties on those who use false identification or falsify identification documents. Persons who use false identification to obtain or maintain employment from a business that contracts with the state will be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, in a jail or house of correction for not more than two years.

The legislative proposal co-sponsored by Representative Humason would also require the Massachusetts Attorney General to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the United States Attorney General to collaborate with regard to the investigation and enforcement of alleged violations of Federal immigration law.

Importantly, the bill also stipulates that the Attorney General establish a toll free telephone reporting system for confidential reporting of unlawful employment of unauthorized aliens.

Humason stressed that this bill targets illegal or undocumented workers, not those residing and working in the Bay State legally.  He warned employers and contractors to police themselves with respect to hiring illegals before the state does it for them.

“My constituents are growing weary of stories of illegals committing crimes and working under the table, undermining wages and benefits for law abiding individuals,” Humason said.  “This is an issue of national, not just local, importance and it needs to be addressed.  But if the Federal government won’t do it then it is up to the states and municipalities.”

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