Few Prosecuted for Illegal Employment of Immigrants

Criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers has been relatively rare. The latest available data show that during the last twelve months (April 2018 – March 2019) only 11 individuals (and no companies) were prosecuted in just 7 cases.

During the same period, these 11 prosecutions compare with 85,727 individuals prosecuted for illegal entry, 34,617 prosecuted for illegal re-entry, and 4,733 prosecuted for illegally bringing in or harboring immigrants. Given the millions of undocumented immigrants now working in this country, the odds of being criminally prosecuted for employing undocumented workers appears to be exceedingly remote. {snip}

Not only are few employers prosecuted, fewer who are convicted receive sentences that amount to more than token punishment. Prison sentences are rare. For example, of the 11 individuals the Justice Department reported as convicted during the most recent 12-month period, only 3 were sentenced to serve prison time.

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To read the full report, go to:

https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/559/

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