The Legal Consequences of Hiring Undocumented Workers

Different problems worldwide drive immigrants to the US, and those immigrants need to be able to adjust. Work is one of the main reasons people move to other countries and risk everything to have a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

As a business owner or manager, you must be aware of the legal consequences of hiring undocumented workers because it could bring unwanted problems. There are different ways to ensure that you only hire the right people for the job to maintain a safe and functional workplace.

Business Fines

Hiring undocumented workers means your business could get different fines depending on the number of undocumented people and the company’s size. These fines could range anywhere from 100 to 3,000 dollars and will put your business under constant monitoring. Fines are the first warning; if you continue to hire undocumented workers, you could lose your business license and face other charges.

Businesses have a responsibility to the people and the government to deliver good results and stay within safety and legal guidelines. Your business could suffer from having to fire undocumented people doing their job, which could decrease performance and productivity.

Failure To Comply

Failure to comply with legal guidelines could result in arrest and damage the reputation of a person and a business. E-Verify compliance is necessary to ensure that each company follows the rules and ensures that every applicant is legal and has the proper documentation.

It is essential to use different verification systems, including background checks and I-9 forms, during the hiring process. Skipping some steps and hiring undocumented workers could also result in arrests and higher fines for business owners.

Criminal Charges

The US government has considered hiring undocumented workers a criminal charge since 2006. This charge includes human trafficking and exploitation, which can result in prison time that will damage a person’s record and personal life. These criminal charges are federal and will have the highest level of punishment.

Keeping a process clean, safe, and within guidelines is the best way to avoid problems, loss of credibility, and penalties. Proper documentation ensures the capacities of a prospect for a job and also prevents identity theft and tax fraud.