Monday, March 05, 2007

Governor Restricts Use of Undocumented Workers

In Executive Order 481, signed on February 23, 2007, Governor Patrick imposed restrictions on the use of undocumented workers by state contractors. The order says, in part, "All Executive Branch contracts entered into after the effective date of this Order shall require contractors to certify, as a condition of receiving Commonwealth funds under the contract, that they shall not knowingly use undocumented workers in connection with the performance of the contract; that, pursuant to federal requirements, they shall verify the immigration status of all workers assigned to the contract without engaging in unlawful discrimination; and that they shall not knowingly or recklessly alter, falsify, or accept altered or falsified documents from any such worker." The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition issued a press release opposing the order, saying, in part, "we fear this executive order will lead to discrimination against all immigrant families regardless of status as an employer may not want to risk employing a person who likes or sounds like an immigrant." This and all other Massachusetts Executive Orders can be found in the Executive Orders section of our website.