New federal work-site enforcement policies issued

12:22 PM | April 30, 2009

The Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings today on the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform as the Department of Homeland Security issued new work-site enforcement protocols, refocusing attention on employers rather than illegal workers.

The new federal guidelines instruct immigration agents to look for evidence of money laundering, mistreatment of workers, trafficking, smuggling and identification document fraud. They also direct agents to get indictments, criminal arrest or search warrants before arresting employees.

“Arresting and removing illegal workers must be part of a strategy to deter unlawful employment, but is, alone, insufficient as a comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy,â€