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HB 675

Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 18 co-sponsors

Virginia bill bans employers from coercing or threatening workers based on immigration status, imposing civil penalties for violations to protect vulnerable employees.

Governor's recommendation received by House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 675

Legislative bill overview

HB 675 would prohibit employers in Virginia from coercing, threatening, or intimidating employees based on their immigration status, with civil penalties for violations. The bill aims to protect workers from employer abuse related to immigration-related threats, such as threats to report workers to immigration authorities or use immigration status as leverage in employment disputes.

Why is this important

Many undocumented and vulnerable workers avoid reporting workplace violations—wage theft, unsafe conditions, discrimination—out of fear that employers will threaten deportation or immigration reporting. This bill removes that coercive tool, potentially encouraging workers to report labor law violations and improving workplace safety and labor standard compliance. The economic impact affects both worker protections and employer liability exposure.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and enforcement scope: How broadly "coercion or threat based on immigration status" is defined could determine whether the law captures indirect threats or only explicit statements, affecting enforceability
  • Employer burden and compliance costs: Businesses argue compliance monitoring and potential litigation creates administrative burden; supporters counter this only restricts unlawful conduct already illegal in spirit
  • Federal immigration enforcement coordination: Tension exists between state labor protection and federal immigration enforcement; some argue this complicates employers' obligations under federal law (E-Verify, I-9 requirements)

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

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