Businesses across the United States have, at times, hired illegal aliens.
Such employment is more common in some job markets, such as vegetable and fruit gardening, construction, and the like.
But it’s still not supposed to happen, and three businesses in the Denver area are learning that with a hard lesson.
A report from Denver Channel 7 explains the hiring of workers who do not have permission to take American jobs hurts “law-abiding employers.”
The report explained officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed plans to impose $8 million in fines against CCS Denver, PBC Commercial Cleaning Systems and Green Management Denver.
The plans follow audits that found what ICE has categorized as “widespread employment eligibility violations.”
ICE said a fine of $6.1 million is being proposed for CCS Denver for “a 100% substantive violation rate.”
The company’s record allegedly included hiring at least 87 illegal aliens.
The fine for PBS Commercial Cleaning is to be $1.6 million for a 74% violation rate and hiring “at least 12 unauthorized workers.”
The fine planned for Green Management Denver is $270,000 for employing 44 undocumented immigrant workers.
In a statement, Steve Cagen, special agent in charge, explained, “The employment of unauthorized workers undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts law-abiding employers at a disadvantage. These penalties reinforce our commitment to uphold the law and promote a culture of compliance.”