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Bill

Bill

S 3215

A bill to amend the National Labor Relations Act to make it an unfair labor practice to employ or represent an unauthorized alien, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Banks and 4 co-sponsors

Bill classifies hiring or representing undocumented workers as illegal labor practice, targeting employers and unions while potentially limiting worker protections and deepening labor enforcement complexities.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3215

Legislative bill overview

S. 3215 would amend the National Labor Relations Act to classify hiring or representing unauthorized immigrants as an unfair labor practice. This would make it illegal for employers to knowingly employ undocumented workers and would restrict labor union representation of such workers. The bill applies enforcement mechanisms under existing labor law to immigration status violations.

Why is this important

This directly affects millions of undocumented workers in the U.S. labor force and their employers across industries reliant on immigrant labor (agriculture, construction, hospitality, domestic services). It also has broader implications for labor unions' organizing capacity and worker protections, while potentially creating new compliance burdens and legal liability for employers.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement complexity: Creates tension between labor law enforcement and immigration enforcement; raises questions about who verifies work authorization and consequences for misidentification
  • Economic disruption: Could create labor shortages in industries heavily dependent on undocumented workers, potentially raising consumer costs and affecting business viability
  • Worker vulnerability: May deter undocumented workers from reporting wage theft, unsafe conditions, or labor violations due to deportation fears, weakening labor protections for all workers
  • Union representation rights: Restricting union representation of a worker class based on immigration status raises questions about labor organizing rights and collective bargaining principles
  • Employer liability: Shifts legal burden to employers for immigration verification, potentially exposing them to conflicting state/federal requirements and documentation standards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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