Putting American Workers First Act
Summary
The "Putting American Workers First Act" aims to amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by making it an unfair labor practice for employers to hire or labor organizations to represent unauthorized aliens. It includes provisions for employers and labor organizations to make a "good-faith effort" to verify the legal status of individuals. The bill specifies that the discharge of an unauthorized alien is not evidence of animus regarding employee rights under Section 7 of the NLRA.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would likely reduce the employment of unauthorized aliens and potentially shift the labor market towards authorized workers. It could also increase scrutiny on employers and labor organizations to verify employment eligibility. The bill may also impact labor union membership and representation.
Potential Benefits
- Could increase job opportunities for authorized US workers.
- May reduce wage depression in certain sectors due to potentially lower labor costs associated with unauthorized workers.
- Might incentivize employers to use legal employment verification systems.
- Could strengthen compliance with existing immigration laws related to employment.
- Could reduce the incentive for illegal immigration by limiting employment opportunities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to discrimination if "good-faith effort" verification is not applied consistently.
- May create labor shortages in industries that heavily rely on unauthorized labor.
- Could increase operational costs for businesses due to enhanced verification processes.
- Might negatively impact labor union membership and bargaining power.
- Could face legal challenges based on equal protection or due process concerns.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality could be debated under several aspects. Congress has broad authority over immigration (Article I, Section 8), but the bill's impact on labor relations could raise questions under the Commerce Clause. The "good-faith effort" provision may be scrutinized for due process implications. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific individual liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights, such as freedom of speech or religion.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).