This Issue: Worksite investigations increase by 400% in recent years

While public discourse over immigration has focused mostly on Pres. Trump's border wall and his administration's handling of the border surge, the Department of Homeland Security has released new statistics on a much-needed area for enforcement -- worksite enforcement.

Aside from a series of major raids at a number of chicken plants throughout the Southeast over the summer, there hasn't been much news about the administration's efforts. But according to the report, the Trump Administration has increased the number of worksite investigations four-fold compared to the later years of the Obama Administration.

The most effective way to deter illegal immigration is through requiring employers to use E-Verify and pursuing employers that hire illegal workers. Most aliens come to the country illegally or overstay a visa because they know they can find a job. But if the jobs magnet is eliminated, the draw for most illegal immigration is also eliminated.

According to the government data, Immigration and Customs Enforcement opened up nearly 7,000 cases of worksite investigations in both FY2018 and FY2019 compared to fewer than 2,000 cases that were opened in FY2016 and FY2017. These cases could ultimately result in penalties for employers who hire illegal aliens and could open up new jobs for American workers.

Bipartisan support for pursuing employers who hire illegal workers

There's always been support from both sides of the aisle for going after employers who hire illegal workers. The Legal Workforce Act, introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), would not only require all employers to use E-Verify, but also stiffen penalties for employers that hire illegal workers. The Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in the Senate and Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) in the House, would also mandate E-Verify and stiffen fines for employers.

While those are Republican proposals, Democrats have also pushed for pursuing employers. For years, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced legislation that would stiffen fines for employers, but most Democrats are only supportive of increasing penalties if combined with an amnesty for most illegal aliens.

However, a NumbersUSA survey of midterm voters in swing districts found that 75% of voters think it's important to punish employers who hire illegal workers compared to only 9% who say it's not very important. It's the preferred method of immigration enforcement over both deportations and additional border fencing.

So far, none of the Democratic presidential hopefuls have taken a position on punishing employers who hire illegal workers. But the question hasn't been raised during their debates thus far. Maybe it will become a discussion if more news is made about the Trump administration's efforts to chase down unscrupulous employers.

Chris Chmielenski NumbersUSA Deputy Director