The construction industry employs more than 7 million people in this country and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that construction employment will add 180,000 net new workers annually.  Immigration legislation will have a significant impact on how employers hire and fire, who they can hire and fire, and how long they can keep workers that they hire, train and employ.  In addition to the congressional proposals to address illegal immigration, many local and state governments have begun addressing the problems.  As a result, a patchwork of federal, state, and local immigration laws exists and employers must navigate the growing complexity until Congress addresses the issue with comprehensive immigration reform.

AGC Briefing Papers:

• Oppose Excessive Penalties and Mandates on Contractors for Immigration Verification (SAVE Act) – view talking points
• Enact comprehensive national immigration reform – view talking points
• Oppose Excessive Employer Sanctions that Eliminate Due Process or Consideration of Mitigating Factors Such as Debarment of Federal Contractors for “Any” Immigration Violation – view talking points

Immigration Resources:

• State Survey Of Immigration Laws: State by state summary of legislation specifically affecting employment - from Fisher & Phillips LLP
• Navigating the Immigration Debate: A Guide for State & Local Policymakers and Advocates - from the American Immigration Lawyers Association
• 2007 Enacted State Legislation Related to Immigrants and Immigration: brief overview and analysis of the over 1,500 pieces of immigration legislation in 2007 – from the National Conference of State Legislatures
• Database of Recent Local Ordinances on Immigration: brief summary of state and local legislation by subject area - from the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM)

Immigration Advocacy Partners:

• Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC): AGC is a member of the steering committee for the coalition of businesses, trade associations, and other organizations from across the industry spectrum concerned with the shortage of both lesser skilled and unskilled ("essential worker") labor. EWIC stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress to push forward on important immigration reform issues. 

Articles, Papers & Presentations

Government & Other Resources

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Home Page;
• E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot Program)
• Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program (USCIS – includes Basic Pilot Program)
• ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) (ICE)
• Foreign Labor Certification (ETA);
• USCIS Fact Sheet on Revised I-9 (11/7/07)
• I–9 Form (USCIS)
• The I–9 Process in a Nutshell (USCIS)
• About Form I–9, Employment Eligibility Verification (USCIS)
• Interim Rule on Electronic Signature and Storage of Form I–9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Federal Register)
• Social Security Number Verification (SSA)