Employers face steep fines for hiring undocumented workers

BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Authorities are warning business owners of the risks of employing undocumented workers and the large fines that come with it.

Most undocumented immigrants face significant barriers to pursuing employment in the United States. The majority of undocumented workers have been in the country over 10 years (54 percent), are aged 35-64 (62 percent), and–despite high employment–do not have health insurance (42 percent), says the Center for Migrant Studies.

“Federal law prohibits employers in the United States from knowingly hiring or continuing to employ individuals who are not authorized to work in this country,” says Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office.

BPSO say to support business owners and individuals understand the legal pathways to employment have provided helpful information to understand the immigration process.

According to the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to comply with the law, employers must:

1. Verify the identity and employment authorization of each person they hire,
2. Complete and retain a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each employee; and
3. Refrain from discriminating against individuals on the basis of national origin, citizenship or immigration status.

Penalties for Employing Undocumented Workers

Authorities underscore, employers found in violation of federal immigration employment laws may face civil fines:

• $627 to $5,016 per unauthorized employee for a first offense.
• Increased fines for subsequent violations — up to $25,026 per unauthorized worker.

Criminal penalties for employers who hire undocumented unauthorized workers:

• Up to $3,000 fine per unauthorized employee
• Up to six months imprisonment for a pattern or practice of knowingly hiring undocumented workers.

Other consequences employers face include: loss of business licenses (in some jurisdictions), disqualification from government contracts, IRS and Department of Labor Audits.

The most U.S. states’ unauthorized immigrant populations stayed steady from 2019 to 2022, according to Pew Research Center, however, six states showed significant growth in 2024:

• Florida (+400,000)
• Texas (+85,000)
• New York (+70,000)
• New Jersey (+55,000)
• Massachusetts (+50,000)
• Maryland (+40,000)

California (-120,000) is the only state whose unauthorized immigrant population decreased, reported Pew Research Center.

What to do if an employer unintentionally hires an undocumented immigrant?

BPSO recommend if business owners have reason to believe that undocumented workers are currently employed within their company, to follow these steps (see page 2):