The Indiana Attorney General says he’s planning to “hurt” employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers.
Todd Rokita was at a construction site in Indianapolis, talking about enforcement of a new law called the “Fairness Act,” which, among other things, allows the state to fine employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers.
“They’ve given me significant fining authority,” Rokita said. “So, we’re going to be able to hurt people – or the employers – where it hurts most and that’s in their pocketbooks.”
Employers could be fined up to $10,000. Companies could also be shut down.
The Attorney General noted that some in the construction industry take advantage of undocumented workers.
“Starting July first, you’re going to see our office, more and more, at job sites like this to see exactly what’s going on and who’s being hired and how many,” Rokita said.
Rokita was joined by Kyle Gresham, with the Central Midwest Carpenters Union.
“People who follow the rules are suffering because of people who do not,” Gresham said. “I’ve seen workers hanging drywall for a little as 15 cents a square foot, and if you do the math, that’s not a lot. If they’re to get hurt on the job site or fall off a ladder or something, they’re fired before they hit the ground. Quite honestly its modern-day slavery.”
