Bill Penalizing Employers for Knowingly Employing Unauthorized Aliens Introduced

On February 22, 2011, a bill designated as “The New Jersey Jobs Protection Act” (S2733) was introduced to the Senate. If passed, the bill would require employers to use the federal “E-Verify” system to confirm a new hire’s employment eligibility within 90 days of the date of hire. In addition, an employer that knowingly employs an unauthorized alien would be subject to: 1) a monetary fine of $10,000 for each unauthorized alien they employ; and 2) monitored probation for three years. Violators also would face increased penalties for additional violations. Proof that the employee is eligible to work under the E-Verify system would create a rebuttable presumption that the employer did not intentionally or knowingly employ an unauthorized alien.