Thread: MA- Brown wants to exclude ill. imm. from wage abuse cases

Brown wants to exclude illegal immigrants from wage abuse cases

Posted Jan 06, 2010 @ 11:39 AM

FRAMINGHAM — State Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, today filed legislation that would require the state Attorney General to receive and document proof of citizenship or right to work in the United States for wage enforcement cases.

Historically, the Attorney General’s office has adopted a policy of not asking about immigration status of employees when proceeding with a wage enforcement case against an employer.

Under the bill filed by Brown, who is also a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, wage enforcement cases would require valid proof of citizenship or immigration status before proceeding.

“This is a responsible and effective immigration reform that prevents those who are here illegally from receiving the same benefits as taxpaying Massachusetts citizens,â€

I dont know if I agree with this or not. On the one hand, I dont want any employer to think there is some advantage in hiring illegals. If they know illegals cant sue them for wages, then they are more likely to try to take advantage. On the other hand, I dont want to make it easy for illegals to work here. And if illegals have a wage dispute, they are not likely to report it if they know they cant sue anyway. That gives the employer a free pass to break the law.