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US crackdown on illegal workers US crackdown on illegal workers
(30 minutes later)
Businesses in the US found guilty of employing illegal immigrants will face more criminal charges and higher fines, the Bush administration has announced. The US administration has announced tougher action against businesses which employ illegal immigrants, including more criminal charges and higher fines.
Under the new rules, employers would have 90 days to prove the workers were legal US residents or fire them. The tighter workplace enforcement measures come after Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
The US Homeland Security secretary called the move "an energetic step". Under the new plan, employers will have 90 days to prove the workers are legal US residents or fire them.
However, Michael Chertoff said it was only "a half-measure" after Congress failed to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in June. US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the "energetic" step was needed pending action by Congress.
Until Congress chooses to act we are going to be taking some energetic steps on our own Homeland Security SecretaryMichael Chertoff Q&A: US immigration debate US illegal immigrants: FactsUntil Congress chooses to act we are going to be taking some energetic steps on our own Homeland Security SecretaryMichael Chertoff Q&A: US immigration debate US illegal immigrants: Facts
Senators voted against keeping the bill alive, effectively delaying action on the emotive immigration issue until after the 2008 presidential election. In June senators voted against President George W Bush's immigration reform plan, effectively delaying action on the emotive issue until after the 2008 presidential election.
The proposed legislation set out ways for some of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants to seek citizenship. Opponents said the bill amounted to an amnesty for breaking the law. The proposed legislation called for tougher border controls while setting out ways for illegal immigrants to seek citizenship.
But opponents said the bill amounted to an amnesty for law breakers.
'Not enough workers''Not enough workers'
Mr Chertoff said of the latest plans: "Our hope is that key elements of the Senate bill will see the light of day someday, but until Congress chooses to act we are going to be taking some energetic steps on our own." On Friday Mr Chertoff said: "Our hope is that key elements of the Senate bill will see the light of day someday, but until Congress chooses to act we are going to be taking some energetic steps on our own."
Mr Chertoff (left) called the efforts "a half measure"He said the new measures would give employers "clear guidance" but added that they were "not the best tools we can use... This is kind of a half measure." Mr Chertoff (left) called the efforts "a half measure"He said the new measures would give employers "clear guidance" but added that they were "not the best tools we can use... This is kind of a half-measure."
Employers who do not comply with the new rules could face fines of up to $12,500 (£6,250) per violation, a 25% fine increase, as well as possible criminal charges. Employers who employ illegal immigrants could face fines of up to $12,500 (£6,250) per violation, a 25% fine increase, as well as possible criminal charges.
The new plan will also strengthen patrols on the Mexican border.
The US government has already stepped up raids on companies employing illegal workers, and the number of criminal investigations of employers has also risen.The US government has already stepped up raids on companies employing illegal workers, and the number of criminal investigations of employers has also risen.
However, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said such initiatives alone would not stamp out illegal immigration.However, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said such initiatives alone would not stamp out illegal immigration.
"We do not have the workers our economy needs to keep growing each year... ultimately Congress is going to have to pass comprehensive immigration reform.""We do not have the workers our economy needs to keep growing each year... ultimately Congress is going to have to pass comprehensive immigration reform."
Correspondents say the measures could have major implications for the country's agriculture, construction and hospitality industries which employ most of the illegal immigrants in the US.Correspondents say the measures could have major implications for the country's agriculture, construction and hospitality industries which employ most of the illegal immigrants in the US.