Immigration Reform: Who Are You Hiring?

Are your employees legal? If you don't know the answer to that question, it may be time you find out:

In the latest move on eastern Long Island to crack down on illegal immigrants, Brian Beedenbender, a freshman Suffolk County legislator proposed a bill on Thursday that would require the estimated 15,000 licensed contractors there to verify their workers’ legal status.

Under Mr. Beedenbender’s proposal, the county’s estimated 15,000 contractors — including electricians, plumbers, home contractors, roofers and asphalt pavers — would be required to verify employees’ legal working status. Violators would face punishment ranging from losing their licenses to being fined or jailed up to four years. Currently, Suffolk County gets 100 to 200 license applications a month and renews about 500. Several public hearings will be held before the proposal is voted on by the County Legislature.

It seems that the legislator is placing a heavy burden on these employers. What do you think?