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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Neal P. Goodman State
Rep. Tim Seip |
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Goodman, Seip back bills to prevent illegal immigrants from working on construction and public work projects
HARRISBURG, June 8 -- State Reps. Neal Goodman and Tim Seip voted for two bills passed by the House of Representatives today that are aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from working on Pennsylvania construction sites.
House Bill 1502 would require public work contractors and their subcontractors to verify employees' Social Security numbers before they can be awarded a public work contract. House Bill 1503 would require construction industry employers to verify their employees' Social Security numbers.
"These bills protect hard-working Pennsylvanians," said Goodman, D-Schuylkill. "Illegal immigrants who skirt the system and avoid paying taxes push Pennsylvanians off payrolls and onto the unemployment rolls."
"These bills are an extraordinary step forward in confronting important issues related to illegal immigration in the Commonwealth and also address incredibly unfair obstacles for employers who hire and operate their businesses the right way," said Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks.
Contractors who violate rules under the bills could be barred from state projects or, in the case of private construction work, face forfeiture of state licenses or certifications. The bills offer protection for whistle-blowers who report construction sites hiring illegal workers.
The Center for Immigration Studies estimates that in April 2009, there were between 18,000 and 35,000 illegal construction workers in Pennsylvania.
The bills move to the Senate for consideration.
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