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ARTICLE · 12 JULY 2007

Immigration Law Enforcement Developments: Contractor Liability For Undocumented Subcontractor Employees

Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
Peckar & Abramson, P.C.
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Peckar & Abramson, P.C.

Peckar & Abramson, P.C.

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Estimate: 12 million illegal immigrants in America making up about 5 % of the workforce.

United StatesImmigration
Gregory Begg
Gregory Begg
Lorraine D'Angelo
Lorraine D'Angelo

I. STATISTICS

Estimate: 12 million illegal immigrants in America making up about 5 % of the workforce.

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, illegal immigrants constitute:

14% of construction workers

17% of cleaning crews

12% of food-preparation workers

25% of farm-workers

Some estimates conclude that unauthorized workers comprise an estimated 22% to 36% of the construction industry workforce.

II. RECENT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

Early 2006: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Division of Department of Homeland Security) announced that it was targeting employers of illegal immigrants and that it would use criminal prosecution and forfeiture of assets to do so. DHS Chief Michael Chertoff has vowed to use "every authority" within DHS’s power to "shut down businesses that exploit an illegal workforce to turn a profit."

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