Thread: Why I use business laws as Enforcement Tool

I worked in construction beginning in the late 1970's and finally got fed up with how much abuse of existing law was taking place in that industry. There was all sorts of evasion of either federal taxes or state taxes (if the state has an income tax). And there was also widespread abuse of unemployment compensation. I even saw cases, in my union, where a guy would ask for a short term layoff, go take a "side job" earning cash but not declaring it, collecting unemployment benefits, and then getting hired back when he wanted. It is no surprise to me that the IRS says it now loses $500 billion each year, due to 'black market' enterprises. And then the reality of illegal aliens filtering out of agriculture and into construction jobs just complicated this situation further.

I've tried reporting companies using illegals to ICE---it almost never does any good. It probably started about 2006, but ICE hardly ever does a sweep of employers. I had read of an INS bust of illegal alien drywall workers in 1998, when I began working in Seattle, but those days are no more.

But there is another way to get law enforcement, and it is up to you as to whom you complain about. Since I was a licensed contractor for two years, also, I know something about contractor registration. Several years ago I began complaining to our state contractors board about jobsites where there appeared to be illegals. The state contractor agencies ARE NOT in the business of immigration enforcement. However, many of them provide tips on how to report people doing work to buildings who may not be registered with them, or may be violating other employment laws. You have to look for signs that it is not an up-and-up company. Registered companies usually display their registration number---called here a CCB#. Each state will have a different name for the agency that registers contractors. Also, registered companies usually take care of their vehicles. And they usually have some proper looking paperwork inside the cab. They may also have businesscards or a decent sign on the vehicle. Unregistered contractors, typically. have none of these. They are just showing up to work for cash, get the money and bogey. Lots of times they have an old vehicle with lots of junk inside. You have to get a feel for it. And of course we know where illegals send their money.

Our state Construction Contractors Board (formerly Builders Board) has an online form to report an unregistered contractor. And now, this agency has combined forces with the state Employment Agency. And the fines are B-I-G. An unregistered contractor often gets fined 500-1000 dollars. And if they are not supposed to have employees (limited license) they can get more. They can also get fined for not providing workers com insurance. Please look at this recent list of actions, and you will see some fines as high as $5000.http://www.oregon.gov/CCB/Documents/...lpenalties.pdf

And I am not getting into the Landscape Contractors policies yet, either. This is another huge area. Plus localities require business licenses and our state also collects income tax----from those who pay it, at least. And I frequently see on these sites where apparently illegals are working, out-of-state license plates----so this is a huge red flag. I know that several of my reporting efforts have resulted in state action. And they don't like it if you miss, and as I said they are not in the business of enforcing immigration law. BUT, they can go after fly by night enterprises, so please connect the dots. One tricky area----licensed contractors who hire illegal workers. They don't get fined for being unlicensed, but if they are not providing proper coverages for their workers the agency apparently now enforces the employment laws.

This is why legitimate contractors cost a lot of money---because of all the state rules they have to comply with. But enterprises of illegals, or those employing them, often just choose to be oblivious to these rules. And our state contractors agency has a simple way to report online---if the clues look reasonable, it only takes a few minutes to do and they usually come out the same day or next. And I am actually only scratching the surface of business law enforcement. Here is a recent state sweep against contractors breaking the rules. Notice how big the fines can get:
http://www.oregon.gov/CCB/Documents/...lpenalties.pdf