California Employers May be Sued if They Hire Illegal Aliens
By Masonry
Businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens may find themselves on the wrong end of a lawsuit.
David Klehm, an Orange County attorney, said he will represent law-abiding firms that have suffered economic damage as a result of their competitors using cheap labor. He said the first suits could be filed this summer.
"This has never been done before. This is the first time anyone in the country has actually used state civil law to prosecute employers of illegal aliens," Klehm stated. "We're hoping ... this will be a model for other states across the country."
Klehm said the lawsuits will seek restitution, damages and market protections on behalf of small- and medium-sized business owners.
"Honest business owners and hard-working Americans are the forgotten victims of unenforced laws against illegal immigration," Klehm said.
According to Klehm, honest California businesses have lost billions of dollars over the years as a result of being undercut by competitors that employ illegal aliens. Under state law, they are entitled to compensation, he states.
"For some of our clients, their only choice is to file a lawsuit or file bankruptcy papers," Klehm said. "People who obey the law should not be forced into bankruptcy by those who don't."
For more information, go to www.illegalemployers.org.
About the Author
Masonry, the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America, covers every aspect of the mason contractor profession - equipment and techniques, building codes and standards, business planning, promoting your business, legal issues and more. Read or subscribe to Masonry magazine at www.masonrymagazine.com.
