2012 -- H 7313 | |
======= | |
LC00587 | |
======= | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
| |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
| |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
| |
____________ | |
| |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - ENFORCEMENT OF | |
IMMIGRATION LAWS | |
|
      |
|
      |
     Introduced By: Representatives Palumbo, Trillo, Nunes, Edwards, and Chippendale | |
     Date Introduced: February 01, 2012 | |
     Referred To: House Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1-1 |
     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND |
1-2 |
GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
1-3 |
     CHAPTER 28.10 |
1-4 |
IN SUPPORT OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS ACT |
1-5 |
     42-28.10-1. Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “In Support of |
1-6 |
Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.” |
1-7 |
     42-28.10-2. Legislative findings. – It is hereby found and declared by the general |
1-8 |
assembly that: |
1-9 |
     (1) There is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration |
1-10 |
laws throughout all of Rhode Island. |
1-11 |
     (2) There is a compelling interest in reducing the number of persons unlawfully present in |
1-12 |
the state by enforcing the public policy of all state and local government agencies. |
1-13 |
     (3) The provisions of this chapter are intended to work together to discourage and deter |
1-14 |
the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in |
1-15 |
the United States. |
1-16 |
     42-28.10-3. Cooperation and assistance in enforcement of immigration laws: |
1-17 |
indemnification. – (a) No official or agency of this state, city, town or other political subdivision |
1-18 |
of this state may limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full |
1-19 |
extent permitted by federal law. |
2-1 |
     (b) For any lawful contact made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement |
2-2 |
agency of this state or a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of a city, town or |
2-3 |
other political subdivision of this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an |
2-4 |
alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when |
2-5 |
practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may |
2-6 |
hinder or obstruct an investigation. Any person who is arrested shall have the person’s |
2-7 |
immigration status determined before the person is released. The person’s immigration status |
2-8 |
shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c). A |
2-9 |
law enforcement official or agency of this state or a city, town or other political subdivision of |
2-10 |
this state may not solely consider race, color, or national origin in implementing the requirements |
2-11 |
of this subsection except to the extent permitted by the United States or Rhode Island |
2-12 |
constitution. A person is presumed not to be an alien who is unlawfully present in the United |
2-13 |
States, if the person provides to the law enforcement officer or agency any of the following: |
2-14 |
     (1) A valid Rhode Island driver license. |
2-15 |
     (2) A valid Rhode Island non-operating identification license. |
2-16 |
     (3) A valid tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification. |
2-17 |
     (4) If the entity requires proof of legal presence in the United States before issuance, any |
2-18 |
valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification. |
2-19 |
     (c) If an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States is convicted of a violation of |
2-20 |
state or local law, on discharge from imprisonment, or on the assessment of any monetary |
2-21 |
obligation that is imposed, the United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United |
2-22 |
States customs and border protection shall be immediately notified. |
2-23 |
     (d) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, a law |
2-24 |
enforcement agency may securely transport an alien who the agency has received verification is |
2-25 |
unlawfully present in the United States and who is in the agency’s custody to a federal facility in |
2-26 |
this state or to any other point of transfer into federal custody that is outside the jurisdiction of the |
2-27 |
law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency shall obtain judicial authorization before |
2-28 |
securely transporting an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States to a point of transfer |
2-29 |
that is outside of this state. |
2-30 |
     (e) Except as provided in federal law, officials or agencies of this state and counties, |
2-31 |
cities, towns and other political subdivisions of this state may not be prohibited or in any way be |
2-32 |
restricted from sending, receiving or maintaining information relating to the immigration status, |
2-33 |
lawful or unlawful, of any individual or exchanging that information with any other federal, state |
2-34 |
or local government entity for the following official purposes: |
3-1 |
     (1) Determining eligibility for any public benefit, service or license provided by any |
3-2 |
federal, state, local or other political subdivision of this state. |
3-3 |
     (2) Verifying any claim of residence or domicile if determination of residence or |
3-4 |
domicile is required under the laws of this state or a judicial order issued pursuant to a civil or |
3-5 |
criminal proceeding in this state. |
3-6 |
     (3) If the person is an alien, determining whether the person is in compliance with the |
3-7 |
federal registration laws prescribed by title II, chapter 7 of the federal immigration and nationality |
3-8 |
act. |
3-9 |
     (4) Pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373 and 8 United States code section 1644. |
3-10 |
     (f) A person who is a legal resident of this state may bring an action in superior court to |
3-11 |
challenge any official or agency of this state or a city, town or other political subdivision of this |
3-12 |
state that adopts or implements a policy or practice that limits or restricts the enforcement of |
3-13 |
federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law. If there is a judicial |
3-14 |
finding that an entity has violated this section, the court shall order that the entity pay a civil |
3-15 |
penalty of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than five thousand dollars |
3-16 |
($5,000) for each day that the policy has remained in effect after the filing of an action pursuant |
3-17 |
to this subsection. |
3-18 |
     (g) A court shall collect the civil penalty prescribed in subsection (f) of this section and |
3-19 |
remit the civil penalty to the state treasurer for deposit in the gang and immigration intelligence |
3-20 |
team enforcement mission fund established by section 42-28.10-13. |
3-21 |
     (h) The court may award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person or any |
3-22 |
official or agency of this state or a city, town or other political subdivision of this state that |
3-23 |
prevails by adjudication on the merits in a proceeding brought pursuant to this section. |
3-24 |
     (i) Except in relation to matters in which the officer is adjudged to have acted in bad |
3-25 |
faith, a law enforcement officer is indemnified by the law enforcement officer’s agency against |
3-26 |
reasonable costs and expenses, including attorney fees, incurred by the officer in connection with |
3-27 |
any action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this section in which the officer may be a |
3-28 |
defendant by reason of the officer being or having been a member of the law enforcement agency. |
3-29 |
     (j) This section shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating |
3-30 |
immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons and respecting the privileges and |
3-31 |
immunities of United States citizens. |
3-32 |
     42-28.10-4. Willful failure to complete or carry alien registration document; |
3-33 |
Assessment; Exception; Authenticated records; Classification. – (a) In addition to any |
3-34 |
violation of federal law, a person is guilty of willful failure to complete or carry an alien |
4-1 |
registration document if the person is in violation of 8 United States code section 1304(e) or |
4-2 |
1306(a). |
4-3 |
     (b) In the enforcement of this section, an alien’s immigration status may be determined |
4-4 |
by: |
4-5 |
     (1) A law enforcement officer who is authorized by the federal government to verify or |
4-6 |
ascertain an alien’s immigration status. |
4-7 |
     (2) The United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United States customs |
4-8 |
and border protection pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c). |
4-9 |
     (c) A person who is sentenced pursuant to this section is not eligible for suspension of |
4-10 |
sentence, probation, pardon, commutation of sentence, or release from confinement on any basis |
4-11 |
except as authorized by this chapter until the sentence imposed by the court has been served or |
4-12 |
the person is eligible for release. |
4-13 |
     (d) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, the court shall order the person to |
4-14 |
pay all costs and an additional assessment in the following amounts: |
4-15 |
     (1) At least five hundred dollars ($500) for a first violation. |
4-16 |
     (2) Twice the amount specified in subdivision (1) of this subsection if the person was |
4-17 |
previously subject to an assessment pursuant to this subsection. |
4-18 |
     (e) A court shall collect the assessments prescribed in subsection (d) of this section and |
4-19 |
remit the assessments to the department of public safety, which shall establish a special |
4-20 |
subaccount for the monies in the account established for the gang and immigration intelligence |
4-21 |
team enforcement mission appropriation. Monies in the special account are subject to legislative |
4-22 |
appropriation for distribution for gang and immigration enforcement and for imprisonment |
4-23 |
reimbursement costs relating to illegal immigration. |
4-24 |
     (f) This section does not apply to a person who maintains authorization from the federal |
4-25 |
government to remain in the United States. |
4-26 |
     (g) Any record that relates to the immigration status of a person is admissible in any court |
4-27 |
without further foundation or testimony from a custodian of records if the record is certified as |
4-28 |
authentic by the government agency that is responsible for maintaining the record. |
4-29 |
     (h) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor, except that a violation of this section is: |
4-30 |
     (1) A felony if the person violates this section while in possession of any of the |
4-31 |
following: |
4-32 |
     (a) A controlled substance defined in section 21-28.1 et seq. |
4-33 |
     (b) Precursor chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. |
5-34 |
     (c) A deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument, as defined in section 11-5-1 et seq. |
5-35 |
     (d) Property that is used for the purpose of committing an act of terrorism. |
5-36 |
     (2) A felony if the person either: |
5-37 |
     (i) Is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this section. |
5-38 |
     (ii) Within sixty (60) months before the violation, has been removed from the United |
5-39 |
States pursuant to 8 United States code section 1229a or has accepted a voluntary removal from |
5-40 |
the United States pursuant to 8 United States code section 1229c. |
5-41 |
     42-28.10-5. Smuggling; Classification; Definitions. – (a) It is unlawful for a person to |
5-42 |
intentionally engage in the smuggling of human beings for profit or commercial purpose. |
5-43 |
     (b) A violation of this section is a felony: |
5-44 |
     (1) If the human being who is smuggled is under eighteen (18) years of age and is not |
5-45 |
accompanied by a family member over eighteen (18) years of age or the offense involved the use |
5-46 |
of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. |
5-47 |
     (2) If the offense involves the use or threatened use of deadly physical force and the |
5-48 |
person is not eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement |
5-49 |
on any other basis until the sentence imposed by the court is served, the person is eligible for |
5-50 |
release or the sentence is commuted. |
5-51 |
     (c) Notwithstanding any other law, in the enforcement of this section, a peace officer may |
5-52 |
lawfully stop any person who is operating a motor vehicle if the officer has reasonable suspicion |
5-53 |
to believe the person is in violation of any civil traffic law. |
5-54 |
     (d) For the purposes of this section: |
5-55 |
     (1) “Family member” means the person’s parent, grandparent, sibling or any other person |
5-56 |
who is related to the person by consanguinity or affinity to the second degree. |
5-57 |
     (2) “Procurement of transportation” means any participation in or facilitation of |
5-58 |
transportation and includes: |
5-59 |
     (i) Providing services that facilitate transportation including travel arrangement services |
5-60 |
or money transmission services. |
5-61 |
     (ii) Providing property that facilitates transportation, including a weapon, a vehicle or |
5-62 |
other means of transportation or false identification, or selling, leasing, renting or otherwise |
5-63 |
making available a drop house as defined in this chapter. |
5-64 |
     (3) “Smuggling of human beings” means the transportation, procurement of |
5-65 |
transportation or use of property or real property by a person or an entity that knows or has reason |
5-66 |
to know that the person or persons transported or to be transported are not United States citizens, |
5-67 |
permanent resident aliens or persons otherwise lawfully in this state or have attempted to enter, |
5-68 |
entered or remained in the United States in violation of law. |
6-1 |
     42-28.10-6. Unlawful stopping to hire and pick up passengers for work; Unlawful |
6-2 |
application, solicitation or employment; Classification; Definitions. – (a) It is unlawful for an |
6-3 |
occupant of a motor vehicle that is stopped on a street, roadway or highway to attempt to hire or |
6-4 |
hire and pick up passengers for work at a different location if the motor vehicle blocks or impedes |
6-5 |
the normal movement of traffic. |
6-6 |
     (b) It is unlawful for a person to enter a motor vehicle that is stopped on a street, roadway |
6-7 |
or highway in order to be hired by an occupant of the motor vehicle and to be transported to work |
6-8 |
at a different location if the motor vehicle blocks or impedes the normal movement of traffic. |
6-9 |
     (c) It is unlawful for a person who is unlawfully present in the United States and who is |
6-10 |
an unauthorized alien to knowingly apply for work, solicit work in a public place or perform |
6-11 |
work as an employee or independent contractor in this state. |
6-12 |
     (d) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor. |
6-13 |
     (e) For the purposes of this section: |
6-14 |
     (1) “Solicit” means verbal or nonverbal communication by a gesture or a nod that would |
6-15 |
indicate to a reasonable person that a person is willing to be employed. |
6-16 |
     (2) “Unauthorized alien” means an alien who does not have the legal right or |
6-17 |
authorization under federal law to work in the United States as described in 8 United States code |
6-18 |
section 1324a(h)(3). |
6-19 |
     42-28.10-7. Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of |
6-20 |
unlawful aliens; Vehicle impoundment; Exception; Classification. – (a) It is unlawful for a |
6-21 |
person to: |
6-22 |
     (1) Transport or move or attempt to transport or move an alien in this state, in furtherance |
6-23 |
of the illegal presence of the alien in the United States, by any means of transportation if the |
6-24 |
person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered or remains |
6-25 |
in the United States in violation of law. |
6-26 |
     (2) Conceal, harbor or shield or attempt to conceal, harbor or shield an alien from |
6-27 |
detection in any place in this state, including any building or any means of transportation, if the |
6-28 |
person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered or remains |
6-29 |
in the United States in violation of law. |
6-30 |
     (3) Encourage or induce an alien to come to or reside in this state if the person knows or |
6-31 |
recklessly disregards the fact that such coming to, entering or residing in this state is, or will be in |
6-32 |
violation of law. |
6-33 |
     (b) A means of transportation that is used in the commission of a violation of this section |
6-34 |
is subject to mandatory vehicle immobilization or impoundment. |
7-1 |
     (c) This section does not apply to a child protective services worker acting in the |
7-2 |
worker’s official capacity or a person who is acting in the capacity of a first responder, an |
7-3 |
ambulance attendant or an emergency medical technician and who is transporting or moving an |
7-4 |
alien in this state. |
7-5 |
     (d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine |
7-6 |
of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) except that a violation of this section that involves ten |
7-7 |
(10) or more illegal aliens is a felony and the person is subject to a fine of at least one thousand |
7-8 |
dollars ($1,000) for each alien who is involved. |
7-9 |
     42-28.10-8. Arrest by officer without warrant. – (a) A peace officer without a warrant, |
7-10 |
may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe: |
7-11 |
     (1) A felony has been committed and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested |
7-12 |
has committed the felony. |
7-13 |
     (2) A misdemeanor has been committed in the officer’s presence and probable cause to |
7-14 |
believe the person to be arrested has committed the offense. |
7-15 |
     (3) The person to be arrested has been involved in a traffic accident and violated the |
7-16 |
provisions of section 31-26-1 et seq., and that such violation occurred prior to or immediately |
7-17 |
following such traffic accident. |
7-18 |
     (4) A misdemeanor or a petty offense has been committed and probable cause to believe |
7-19 |
the person to be arrested under this paragraph is eligible for release as provided in this chapter. |
7-20 |
     (5) The person to be arrested has committed any public offense that makes the person |
7-21 |
removable from the United States. |
7-22 |
     (b) A peace officer may stop and detain a person as is reasonably necessary to investigate |
7-23 |
an actual or suspected violation of any traffic law committed in the officer’s presence and may |
7-24 |
serve a copy of the traffic complaint for any alleged civil or criminal traffic violation. A peace |
7-25 |
officer who serves a copy of the traffic complaint shall do so within a reasonable time of the |
7-26 |
alleged criminal or civil traffic violation. |
7-27 |
     42-28.10-9. Knowingly employing unauthorized aliens; Prohibition; False and |
7-28 |
frivolous complaints; Violation; Classification; License suspension and revocation; |
7-29 |
Affirmative defense. – (a) An employer shall not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. If, in |
7-30 |
the case when an employer uses a contract, subcontract or other independent contractor |
7-31 |
agreement to obtain the labor of an alien in this state, the employer knowingly contracts with an |
7-32 |
unauthorized alien or with a person who employs or contracts with an unauthorized alien to |
7-33 |
perform the labor, the employer violates this section. |
8-34 |
     (b) The attorney general shall prescribe a complaint form for a person to allege a |
8-35 |
violation of subsection (a) of this section. The complainant shall not be required to list the |
8-36 |
complainant’s social security number on the complaint form or to have the complaint form |
8-37 |
notarized. On receipt of a complaint on a prescribed complaint form that an employer allegedly |
8-38 |
knowingly employs an unauthorized alien, the attorney general shall investigate whether the |
8-39 |
employer has violated subsection (a) of this section. If a complaint is received but is not |
8-40 |
submitted on a prescribed complaint form, the attorney general may investigate whether the |
8-41 |
employer has violated subsection (a) of this section. This subsection shall not be construed to |
8-42 |
prohibit the filing of anonymous complaints that are not submitted on a prescribed complaint |
8-43 |
form. The attorney general shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or |
8-44 |
national origin. Any other local law enforcement agency may assist in investigating a complaint. |
8-45 |
When investigating a complaint, the attorney general shall verify the work authorization of the |
8-46 |
alleged unauthorized alien with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code section |
8-47 |
1373(c). A state or local official shall not attempt to independently make a final determination on |
8-48 |
whether an alien is authorized to work in the Unites States. An alien’s immigration status or work |
8-49 |
authorization status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 Unites States code |
8-50 |
section 1373(c). A person who knowingly files a false and/or frivolous complaint under this |
8-51 |
subsection is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. |
8-52 |
     (c) If, after an investigation, the attorney general determines that the complaint is not |
8-53 |
false and frivolous: |
8-54 |
     (1) The attorney general shall notify the United States immigration and customs |
8-55 |
enforcement of the unauthorized alien. |
8-56 |
     (2) The attorney general shall notify the local law enforcement agency of the |
8-57 |
unauthorized alien. |
8-58 |
     (d) An action for a violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be brought against the |
8-59 |
employer in the county where the unauthorized alien employee is or was employed by the |
8-60 |
employer. The attorney general shall not bring an action against any employer for any violation of |
8-61 |
subsection (a) of this section that occurs before January 1, 2013. A second violation of this |
8-62 |
section shall be based only on an unauthorized alien who is or was employed by the employer |
8-63 |
after an action has been brought for a violation of subsection 42-28.10-10(a). |
8-64 |
     (e) For any action in superior court under this section, the court shall expedite the action, |
8-65 |
including assigning the hearing at the earliest practicable date. |
8-66 |
     (f) On a finding of a violation of subsection (a) of this section: |
8-67 |
     (1) For a first violation, as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the court: |
9-68 |
     (i) Shall order the employer to terminate the employment of all unauthorized aliens. |
9-69 |
     (ii) Shall order the employer to be subject to a three (3) year probationary period for the |
9-70 |
business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. During the probationary period |
9-71 |
the employer shall file quarterly reports with the attorney general of each new employee who is |
9-72 |
hired by the employer at the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. |
9-73 |
     (iii) Shall order the employer to file a signed sworn affidavit with the attorney general |
9-74 |
within three (3) business days after the order is issued. The affidavit shall state that the employer |
9-75 |
has terminated the employment of all unauthorized aliens in this state and that the employer will |
9-76 |
not intentionally or knowingly employ an unauthorized alien in this state. The court shall order |
9-77 |
the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses that are held by the employer if the employer fails |
9-78 |
to file a signed sworn affidavit with the attorney general within three (3) business days after the |
9-79 |
order is issued. All licenses that are suspended under this subdivision shall remain suspended |
9-80 |
until the employer files a signed sworn affidavit with the attorney general. Notwithstanding any |
9-81 |
other law, filing of the affidavit the suspended licenses shall be reinstated immediately by the |
9-82 |
appropriate agencies. For the purposes of this subdivision, the licenses that are subject to |
9-83 |
suspension under this subdivision are all licenses that are held by the employer specific to the |
9-84 |
business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. If the employer does not hold a |
9-85 |
license specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work, but a |
9-86 |
license is necessary to operate the employer’s business in general, the licenses that are subject to |
9-87 |
suspension under this subdivision are all licenses that are held by the employer at the employer’s |
9-88 |
primary place of business. On receipt of the court’s order and notwithstanding any other law, the |
9-89 |
appropriate agencies shall suspend the licenses according to the court’s order. The court shall |
9-90 |
send a copy of the court’s order to the attorney general and the attorney general shall maintain the |
9-91 |
copy pursuant to subsection (g) of this section. |
9-92 |
     (iv) May order the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses described in subdivision |
9-93 |
(iii) of this paragraph that are held by the employer for not to exceed ten (10) business days. The |
9-94 |
court shall base its decision to suspend under this subdivision on any evidence or information |
9-95 |
submitted to it during the action for a violation of this subsection and shall consider the following |
9-96 |
factors, if relevant: |
9-97 |
     (A) The number of unauthorized aliens employed by the employer. |
9-98 |
     (B) Any prior misconduct by the employer. |
9-99 |
     (C) The degree of harm resulting from the violation. |
9-100 |
     (D) Whether the employer made good faith efforts to comply with any applicable |
9-101 |
requirements. |
10-102 |
     (E) The duration of the violation. |
10-103 |
     (F) The role of the directors, officers or principals of the employer in the violation. |
10-104 |
     (H) Any other factors the court deems appropriate. |
10-105 |
     (2) For a second violation, as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the court |
10-106 |
shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the |
10-107 |
employer specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. If the |
10-108 |
employer does not hold a license specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien |
10-109 |
performed work, but a license is necessary to operate the employer’s business in general, the |
10-110 |
court shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the |
10-111 |
employer at the employer’s primary place of business. On receipt of the order and |
10-112 |
notwithstanding any other law, the appropriate agencies shall immediately revoke the licenses. |
10-113 |
     (3) The violation shall be considered: |
10-114 |
     (i) A first violation by an employer at a business location if the violation did not occur |
10-115 |
during a probationary period ordered by the court under subsection 42-28.10-10(f) for that |
10-116 |
employer’s business location. |
10-117 |
     (ii) A second violation by an employer at a business location if the violation occurred |
10-118 |
during a probationary period ordered by the court under subsection 42-28.10-10(f) for that |
10-119 |
employer’s business location. |
10-120 |
     (g) The attorney general shall maintain copies of court orders that are received pursuant |
10-121 |
to subsection (f) of this section and shall maintain a database of the employers and business |
10-122 |
locations that have a first violation of subsection (a) of this section and make the court orders |
10-123 |
available on the attorney general’s website. |
10-124 |
     (h) On determining whether an employee is an unauthorized alien, the court shall |
10-125 |
consider only the federal government’s determination pursuant to 8 United States code section |
10-126 |
1373(c). The federal government’s determination creates a rebuttable presumption of the |
10-127 |
employee’s lawful status. The court may take judicial notice of the federal government’s |
10-128 |
determination and may request the federal government to provide automated or testimonial |
10-129 |
verification pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c). |
10-130 |
     (i) For the purposes of this section, proof of verifying the employment authorization of an |
10-131 |
employee through the E-verify program creates a rebuttable presumption that an employer did not |
10-132 |
knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. |
10-133 |
     (j) For the purposes of this section, an employer that establishes that it has complied in |
10-134 |
good faith with the requirements of 8 United States code section 1324a(b) establishes an |
10-135 |
affirmative defense that the employer did not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien. An |
10-136 |
employer is considered to have complied with the requirements of 8 United States code section |
11-1 |
1324a(b), notwithstanding an isolated, sporadic or accidental technical or procedural failure to |
11-2 |
meet the requirements, if there is a good faith attempt to comply with the requirements. |
11-3 |
     (k) To claim entrapment, the employer must admit by the employer’s testimony or other |
11-4 |
evidence the substantial elements of the violation. An employer who asserts an entrapment |
11-5 |
defense has the burden of proving the following by a preponderance of the evidence: |
11-6 |
     (1) The idea of committing the violation started with law enforcement officers or their |
11-7 |
agents rather than with the employer. |
11-8 |
     (2) The law enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to |
11-9 |
commit the violation. |
11-10 |
     (3) The employer was not predisposed to commit the violation before the law |
11-11 |
enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to commit the violation. |
11-12 |
     (l) An employer does not establish entrapment if the employer was predisposed to violate |
11-13 |
subsection (a) of this section and the law enforcement officers or their agents merely provided the |
11-14 |
employer with an opportunity to commit the violation. It is not entrapment for law enforcement |
11-15 |
officers or their agents merely to use a ruse or to conceal their identity. The conduct of law |
11-16 |
enforcement officers and their agents may be considered in determining if an employer has |
11-17 |
proven entrapment. |
11-18 |
     42-28.10-10. Intentionally employing unauthorized aliens; Prohibition; False and |
11-19 |
frivolous complaints; Violation; Classification; License suspension and revocation; |
11-20 |
Affirmative defense. – (a) An employer shall not intentionally employ an unauthorized alien. If, |
11-21 |
in the case when an employer uses a contract, subcontract or other independent contractor |
11-22 |
agreement to obtain the labor of an alien in this state, the employer intentionally contracts with an |
11-23 |
unauthorized alien with a person who employs or contracts with an unauthorized alien to perform |
11-24 |
the labor, the employer violates this subsection. |
11-25 |
     (b) The attorney general shall prescribe a complaint form for a person to allege a |
11-26 |
violation of subsection (a) of this section. The complainant shall not be required to list the |
11-27 |
complainant’s social security number on the complaint form or to have the complaint form |
11-28 |
notarized. On receipt of a complaint on a prescribed complaint form that an employer allegedly |
11-29 |
intentionally employs an unauthorized alien, the attorney general shall investigate whether the |
11-30 |
employer has violated subsection (a) of this section. If a complaint is received but is not |
11-31 |
submitted on a prescribed complaint form, the attorney general may investigate whether the |
11-32 |
employer has violated subsection (a) of this section. This subsection shall not be construed to |
11-33 |
prohibit the filing of anonymous complaints that are not submitted on a prescribed complaint |
11-34 |
form. The attorney general shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or |
12-1 |
national origin. Any other local law enforcement agency may assist in investigating a complaint. |
12-2 |
When investigating a complaint, the attorney general shall verify the work authorization of the |
12-3 |
alleged unauthorized alien with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code section |
12-4 |
1373(c). A state or local official shall not attempt to independently make a final determination on |
12-5 |
whether an alien is authorized to work in the United States. An alien’s immigration status or work |
12-6 |
authorization status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code |
12-7 |
section 1373(c). A person who knowingly files a false and/or frivolous complaint under this |
12-8 |
subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor. |
12-9 |
     (c) If, after an investigation, the attorney general determines that the complaint is not |
12-10 |
false and/or frivolous: |
12-11 |
     (1) The attorney general shall notify the United States immigration and customs |
12-12 |
enforcement of the unauthorized alien. |
12-13 |
     (2) The attorney general shall notify the local law enforcement agency of the |
12-14 |
unauthorized alien. |
12-15 |
     (d) An action for a violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be brought against the |
12-16 |
employer by the attorney general in the county where the unauthorized alien employee is or was |
12-17 |
employed by the employer. The attorney general shall not bring an action against any employer |
12-18 |
for any violation of subsection (a) of this section that occurs before January 1, 2013. A second |
12-19 |
violation of this section shall be based only on an unauthorized alien who is or was employed by |
12-20 |
the employer after an action has been brought for a violation of subsection (a) of this section or |
12-21 |
subsection 42-28.10-9(a). |
12-22 |
     (e) For any action in superior court under this section, the court shall expedite the action, |
12-23 |
including assigning the hearing at the earliest practicable date. |
12-24 |
     (f) On a finding of a violation of subsection (a) of this section: |
12-25 |
     (1) For a first violation, as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the court shall: |
12-26 |
     (i) Order the employer to terminate the employment of all unauthorized aliens. |
12-27 |
     (ii) Order the employer to be subject to a five (5) year probationary period for the |
12-28 |
business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. During the probationary period |
12-29 |
the employer shall file quarterly reports with the attorney general of each new employee who is |
12-30 |
hired by the employer at the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. |
12-31 |
     (iii) Order the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses described in subsection (d) of |
12-32 |
this paragraph that are held by the employer for a minimum of ten (10) days. The court shall base |
12-33 |
its decision on the length of the suspension under this subsection on any evidence or information |
12-34 |
submitted to it during the action for a violation of this subsection and shall consider the following |
13-1 |
factors, if relevant: |
13-2 |
     (A) The number of unauthorized aliens employed by the employer. |
13-3 |
     (B) Any prior misconduct by the employer. |
13-4 |
     (C) The degree of harm resulting from the violation. |
13-5 |
     (D) Whether the employer made good faith efforts to comply with any applicable |
13-6 |
requirements. |
13-7 |
     (E) The duration of the violation. |
13-8 |
     (F) The role of the directors, officers or principals of the employer in the violation. |
13-9 |
     (G) Any other factors the court deems appropriate. |
13-10 |
     (iv) Order the employer to file a signed sworn affidavit with the attorney general. The |
13-11 |
affidavit shall state that the employer has terminated the employment of all unauthorized aliens in |
13-12 |
this state and that the employer will not intentionally or knowingly employ an unauthorized alien |
13-13 |
in this state. The court shall order the appropriate agencies to suspend all licenses subject to this |
13-14 |
subsection that are held by the employer if the employer fails to file a signed sworn affidavit with |
13-15 |
the attorney general within three (3) business days after the order is issued. All licenses that are |
13-16 |
suspended under this subdivision for failing to file a signed sworn affidavit shall remain |
13-17 |
suspended until the employer files a signed sworn affidavit with the attorney general. For the |
13-18 |
purposes of this subsection, the licenses that are subject to suspension under this subdivision are |
13-19 |
all licenses that are held by the employer specific to the business location where the unauthorized |
13-20 |
alien performed work. If the employer does not hold a license specific to the business location |
13-21 |
where the unauthorized alien performed work, but a license is necessary to operate the |
13-22 |
employer’s business in general, the licenses that are subject to suspension under this subdivision |
13-23 |
are all licenses that are held by the employer at the employer’s primary place of business. On |
13-24 |
receipt of the court’s order and notwithstanding any other law, the appropriate agencies shall |
13-25 |
suspend the licenses according to the court’s order. The court shall send a copy of the court’s |
13-26 |
order to the attorney general and the attorney general shall maintain the copy pursuant to |
13-27 |
subsection (g) of this section. |
13-28 |
     (2) For a second violation, as described in subsection (3) of this subsection, the court |
13-29 |
shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the |
13-30 |
employer specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien performed work. If the |
13-31 |
employer does not hold a license specific to the business location where the unauthorized alien |
13-32 |
performed work, but a license is necessary to operate the employer’s business in general, the |
13-33 |
court shall order the appropriate agencies to permanently revoke all licenses that are held by the |
13-34 |
employer at the employer’s primary place of business. On receipt of the order and |
14-1 |
notwithstanding any other law, the appropriate agencies shall immediately revoke the licenses. |
14-2 |
     (3) The violation shall be considered: |
14-3 |
     (i) A first violation by an employer at a business location if the violation did not occur |
14-4 |
during a probationary period ordered by the court under subsection 42-28.10-9(f) for that |
14-5 |
employer’s business location. |
14-6 |
     (ii) A second violation by an employer at a business location if the violation occurred |
14-7 |
during a probationary period ordered by the court under subsection 42-28.10-9(f) for that |
14-8 |
employer’s business location. |
14-9 |
     (g) The attorney general shall maintain copies of court orders that are received pursuant |
14-10 |
to subsection (f) of this section and shall maintain a database of the employers and businesses |
14-11 |
locations that have a first violation of subsection (a) of this section and make the court orders |
14-12 |
available on the attorney general’s website. |
14-13 |
     (h) On determining whether an employee is an unauthorized alien, the court shall |
14-14 |
consider only the federal government’s determination pursuant to 8 United States code section |
14-15 |
1373(c). The federal government’s determination creates a rebuttable presumption of the |
14-16 |
employee’s lawful status. The court may take judicial notice of the federal government’s |
14-17 |
determination and may request the federal government to provide automated or testimonial |
14-18 |
verification pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c), |
14-19 |
     (i) For the purposes of this section, proof of verifying the employment authorization of an |
14-20 |
employee through the E-verify program creates a rebuttable presumption that an employer did not |
14-21 |
intentionally employ an unauthorized alien. |
14-22 |
     (j) For the purposes of this section, an employer that establishes that it has complied in |
14-23 |
good faith with the requirements of 8 United States code section 1324a(b) establishes an |
14-24 |
affirmative defense that the employer did not intentionally employ an unauthorized alien. An |
14-25 |
employer is considered to have complied with the requirements of 8 United States code section |
14-26 |
1324a(b), notwithstanding an isolated, sporadic or accidental technical or procedural failure to |
14-27 |
meet requirements, if there is a good faith attempt to comply with the requirements. |
14-28 |
     (k) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of subsection (a) of this section that the |
14-29 |
employer was entrapped. To claim entrapment, the employer must admit by the employer’s |
14-30 |
testimony or other evidence the substantial elements of the violation. An employer who asserts an |
14-31 |
entrapment defense has the burden of proving the following by a preponderance of the evidence: |
14-32 |
     (1) The idea of committing the violation started with law enforcement officers or their |
14-33 |
agents rather than with the employer. |
15-34 |
     (2) The law enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to |
15-35 |
commit the violation. |
15-36 |
     (3) The employer was not predisposed to commit the violation before the law |
15-37 |
enforcement officers or their agents urged and induced the employer to commit the violation. |
15-38 |
     (l) An employer does not establish entrapment if the employer was predisposed to violate |
15-39 |
subsection (a) of this section and the law enforcement officers or their agents merely provided the |
15-40 |
employer with an opportunity to commit the violation. It is not entrapment for law enforcement |
15-41 |
officers or their agents merely to use a ruse or to conceal their identity. The conduct of law |
15-42 |
enforcement officers and their agents may be considered in determining if an employer has |
15-43 |
proven entrapment. |
15-44 |
     42-28.10-11. Verification of employer eligibility; E-verify program; Economic |
15-45 |
development incentives; List of registered employers. – (a) After December 31, 2013, every |
15-46 |
employer, after hiring an employee, shall verify the employment eligibility of the employee |
15-47 |
through the E-verify program and shall keep a record of the verification for the duration of the |
15-48 |
employee’s employment or at least three (3) years, whichever is longer. |
15-49 |
     (b) In addition to any other requirement for an employer to receive an economic |
15-50 |
development incentive from a government entity, the employer shall register with and participate |
15-51 |
in the E-verify program. Before receiving the economic development incentive, the employer |
15-52 |
shall provide proof to the government entity that the employer is registered with and is |
15-53 |
participating in the E-verify program. If the government entity determines that the employer is |
15-54 |
not complying with this subsection, the government entity shall notify the employer by certified |
15-55 |
mail of the government entity’s determination of noncompliance and the employer’s right to |
15-56 |
appeal the determination. On a final determination of noncompliance, the employer shall repay all |
15-57 |
monies received as an economic development incentive to the government entity within thirty |
15-58 |
(30) days of the final determination. For the purposes of this subsection: |
15-59 |
     (1) “Economic development incentive” means any grant, loan or performance-based |
15-60 |
incentive from any government entity that is awarded after September 30, 2013. Economic |
15-61 |
development incentive does not include any tax provision under title 44. |
15-62 |
     (2) “Government entity” means this state and any political subdivision of this state that |
15-63 |
receives and uses tax revenues. |
15-64 |
     (c) Every three (3) months the attorney general shall request from the United States |
15-65 |
department of homeland security a list of employers from this state that are registered with the E- |
15-66 |
verify program. On receipt of the list of employers, the attorney general shall make the list |
15-67 |
available on the attorney general’s website. |
16-68 |
     42-28.10-12. Removal and immobilization or impoundment of vehicle. – (a) A peace |
16-69 |
officer shall cause the removal and either immobilization of impoundment of a vehicle if the |
16-70 |
peace officer determines that a person is driving the vehicle while any of the following applies: |
16-71 |
     (1) The person’s driving privilege is suspended or revoked for any reason. |
16-72 |
     (2) The person has not ever been issued a valid driver license or permit by this state and |
16-73 |
the person does not produce evidence of ever having a valid driver license or permit issued by |
16-74 |
another jurisdiction. This paragraph does not apply to the operation of an implement of |
16-75 |
husbandry. |
16-76 |
     (3) The person is subject to an ignition interlock device requirement and the person is |
16-77 |
operating a vehicle without a functioning certified ignition interlock device. This paragraph does |
16-78 |
not apply to a person operating an employer's vehicle or the operation of a vehicle due to a |
16-79 |
substantial emergency. |
16-80 |
     (4) In furtherance of the illegal presence of an alien in the United States and in violation |
16-81 |
of a criminal offense. The person is transporting or moving or attempting to transport or move an |
16-82 |
alien in this state in a vehicle if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien |
16-83 |
has come to, has entered or remains in the United States in violation of law. |
16-84 |
     (5) The person is concealing, harboring or shielding or attempting to conceal, harbor or |
16-85 |
shield from detection an alien in this state in a vehicle if the person knows or recklessly |
16-86 |
disregards the fact that the alien has come to, entered or remains in the United States in violation |
16-87 |
of law. |
16-88 |
     (b) A peace officer shall cause the removal and impoundment of a vehicle if the peace |
16-89 |
officer determines that a person is driving the vehicle and if all of the following apply: |
16-90 |
     (1) The person's driving privilege is canceled, suspended or revoked for any reason or the |
16-91 |
person has never been issued a driver license or permit by this state and the person does not |
16-92 |
produce evidence of ever having a driver license or permit issued by another jurisdiction. |
16-93 |
     (2) The person is not in compliance with the financial responsibility as contained herein. |
16-94 |
     (3) The person is driving a vehicle that is involved in an accident that results in either |
16-95 |
property damage or injury to, or death of another person. |
16-96 |
     (c) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, while a peace officer has control |
16-97 |
of the vehicle the peace officer shall cause the removal and either immobilization or |
16-98 |
impoundment of the vehicle if the peace officer has probable cause to arrest the driver of the |
16-99 |
vehicle for a violation of state registration laws. |
16-100 |
     (d) A peace officer shall not cause the removal and either the immobilization or |
16-101 |
impoundment of a vehicle pursuant to subsection (c) of this section if all of the following apply: |
17-102 |
     (1) The peace officer determines that the vehicle is currently registered and that the driver |
17-103 |
of the vehicle is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements as contained herein. |
17-104 |
     (2) The spouse of the driver is with the driver at the time of the arrest. |
17-105 |
     (3) The peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the spouse of the driver: |
17-106 |
     (i) Has a valid driver license. |
17-107 |
     (ii) Is not impaired by intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance |
17-108 |
containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances. |
17-109 |
     (iii) Does not have any spirituous liquor in the spouse's body if the spouse is under |
17-110 |
twenty-one years of age. |
17-111 |
     (4) The spouse notifies the peace officer that the spouse will drive the vehicle from the |
17-112 |
place of arrest to the driver's home or other place of safety. |
17-113 |
     (e) Failure to comply with subsection (d) shall cause the vehicle to be immobilized or |
17-114 |
impounded for thirty (30) days. An insurance company does not have a duty to pay any benefits |
17-115 |
for charges or fees for immobilization or impoundment. |
17-116 |
     (f) The owner of a vehicle that is removed and either immobilized or impounded pursuant |
17-117 |
to subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this section, the spouse of the owner and each person identified on |
17-118 |
the department's record with an interest in the vehicle shall be provided with an opportunity for |
17-119 |
an immobilization or post-storage hearing pursuant to this chapter. |
17-120 |
     42-28.10-13. Gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund. - |
17-121 |
The gang and immigration intelligence team enforcement mission fund is established consisting |
17-122 |
of monies deposited pursuant to this chapter and monies appropriated by the general assembly. |
17-123 |
The department shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are subject to general assembly |
17-124 |
appropriation and shall be used for gang and immigration enforcement and for imprisonment |
17-125 |
reimbursement costs relating to illegal immigration. |
17-126 |
     42-28.10-14. Severability, implementation and construction. -- (a) If any provision of |
17-127 |
this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does |
17-128 |
not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter that can be given effect without the valid |
17-129 |
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are severable. |
17-130 |
     (b) The terms of this chapter regarding immigration shall be construed to have the |
17-131 |
meanings given to them under federal immigration law. |
17-132 |
     (c) This chapter shall be implemented in a manner consistent with federal laws regulating |
17-133 |
immigration, protecting the civil rights of all persons and respecting the privileges and |
17-134 |
immunities of United States citizens. |
      | |
17-136 |
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
      | |
======= | |
LC00587 | |
======== | |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - ENFORCEMENT OF | |
IMMIGRATION LAWS | |
*** | |
19-1 |
     This act would create the "In Support of our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhood |
19-2 |
Act" which would authorize and empower state and local law enforcement to work together with |
19-3 |
federal authorities to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and |
19-4 |
economic activity by persons unlawfully in the United States. |
19-5 |
     This act would take effect upon passage. |
      | |
======= | |
LC00587 | |
======= |