State House committee considers bill outlawing hiring of unathorized aliens
By JOHN S. ADAMS • Tribune Capitol Bureau • February 17, 2009


HELENA — The House Business and Labor Committee is considering a bill that would make it illegal for employers to hire unauthorized workers. Critics of House Bill 496 say the measure would lead to racial profiling and burden already strained legal systems.




The bill’s sponsor, Rep. David Howard, R-Park City, said the federal government isn’t doing enough to prevent employers from hiring unauthorized workers.


“Today, if you’re an employer and you purposely hire unauthorized aliens to work for you there is no penalty,â€