Bill > SCR1614

This resolution urges the United States Congress to increase penalties for violations of federal immigration laws and calls on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to more aggressively prosecute employers who hire undocumented immigrants. The resolution highlights that undocumented immigrants represent between 4.4% and 5.4% of the U.S. labor force and argues that employers hiring these workers are taking jobs away from Americans and suppressing wages. While noting that ICE has had the authority to prosecute employers hiring undocumented immigrants since 1986, the resolution points out that the agency rarely uses this power, citing a 2019 analysis showing only 11 individuals and no companies were criminally prosecuted in a 12-month period. In contrast, during the same period, ICE prosecuted 86,000 people for illegal entry, 35,000 for illegal re-entry, and 5,000 for helping people enter the country illegally. The resolution specifically calls for doubling current fines for immigration law violations and urges ICE to pursue criminal prosecution of companies and employers who hire undocumented workers. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies of the resolution to Kansas's congressional delegation and the Acting Director of ICE.

Government Affairs

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1614/