It is no secret that there is a huge movement in the country to find and deport undocumented immigrants. This is happening everywhere, including South Carolina. One place where the government may look to find such individuals is where they work. Employers who hire undocumented workers can face serious penalties. So, does this mean the current immigration environment is bad for employers?
The New York Times says employers who hire undocumented workers should be paying attention. President Trump’s push for the deportation of undocumented immigrants has already landed some employers in hot water. However, the number of employers facing issues pales in comparison to the number of individuals facing issues.
This does not mean an employer should ignore the atmosphere. In fact, it means employers need to be more vigilant. You should check the documentation for all your workers. Make sure everyone has their papers in order. This can prevent a serious issue that could negatively impact your business if immigration officials show up.
This is especially a risk if you have a business in an industry that draw immigrant workers. If immigration officials even think that your business may hire illegal workers, you will probably face an investigation.
The bottom line, though, is you are not as likely to face an issue as your workers. The chances of being prosecuted for hiring undocumented workers is pretty low, but you should be ready just in case it happens. This information is for education only, and it is not legal advice.
