Thread: Suffolk County Executive Applies Pressure to Illegals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jul 15, 2006

Levy Bill Will Require Firms Doing Business to Verify Legal Status of Employees with the County of Suffolk



Hauppauge, NY – Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy today announced that he will be filing legislation within the week requiring firms doing business with the county to certify in a sworn affidavit that their employees are legally eligible for employment in the United States. The measure will apply to all firms with county contracts funded solely with county funds.

Federal law currently requires employers to verify and maintain this information for all employees, but there is very little enforcement at the federal level, the County Executive said. The Levy bill will create stiff penalties for violators, including monetary fines and termination of contracts for repeat offenders.

"As the national debate over immigration reform continues to slog along, at the local level we are going to continue to act within the confines of our limited jurisdiction in this area," Levy said. "The federal government has essentially ignored its responsibility to enforce immigration laws and that has dramatically impacted local governments and communities. A frustrated public is looking to their local leaders to step up to the plate."

The county executes approximately 10,000 contracts for goods and services each year and it is estimated that this provision will apply to roughly 60% of those which are funded 100% with county dollars. The law will also apply to subcontractors working on county jobs.

"With this legislation, we are sending a message that the federal government's failure to enforce its own laws will not deter the leaders of county government who want to see one set of rules apply to all businesses – not just to those businesses who choose to comply," said Legislator Joseph T. Caracappa. "Businesses should never find themselves at a competitive disadvantage for honoring the law."

"Hiring undocumented workers costs millions in lost tax revenues and leads to worker exploitation. By requiring employers to affirm the legal worker status of their employees, taxpayers will know all workers are paying their fair share and employees will be protected from unfair labor practices," said Legislator Louis D'Amaro who has agreed to co-sponsor the measure. "We are not asking employers to do anything more than live by the rules and obey existing law."

Levy said that enforcement and monitoring will be handled by the Department of Labor working in conjunction with the County Attorney. If passed this year, the provisions of the bill would take effect for all contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2007.

"We have the power as a county to place conditions on those who wish to contract with the county and do business within the county," Levy said. "It's already the law of the land. This law will give us the authority and the mechanism needed to enforce it at the local level."

"We must make sure that there is a level playing field for all contractors working in and for Suffolk County," said Legislator Jack Eddington, who has also expressed a desire to co-sponsor the bill. "This legislation would prevent dishonest employers from gaining an edge by hiring undocumented workers and paying them less then the prevailing wage."

Under the new law, the county will have the authority to levy a $1,000 penalty for first-time violators. A second infraction can result in a $1,000 per employee fine for businesses under contract. A third violation may result in termination of contracts with bars against future work with Suffolk.

"People in the business community are already well aware that existing federal law mandates this requirement," said Ed Perez, Director of the County Executive's Office of Minority Affairs. "This law is designed to penalize those unscrupulous businesses that fuel an underground, illegal economy and put at risk both their employees and their business competitors who abide by the law."


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I personally know Steve Levy and his Campaign Manager Steve Baranello, i have written and contacted them about the growing Illegal alien problem in Suffolk County, they have assured me that this is only the first step in cracking down on Illegal Immigrants in Suffolk County, Steve is currently pushing for local law enforcement to process Illegal Immigrants convicted of crimes for transport to ICE for processing and final deportation.

Now that's good news!

I live in Patchogue Village on Long Island and this is some of the best news Ive heard all year. Ive started to go the meetings in my village and you'd be amazed how aggravated local government is over the illegals. With Steve Levy and local villages working for the honest tax payers of Suffolk County, this will soon be a great place to live again.

Great! This needs to be done in evry town and county in America. Make sure you get an support these people who are enforcing the law!

D.W.

This is the guy who should be heading the Dem. ticket this November, not that tool Eliot Spitzer.