Penalties against companies that hire illegal immigrants - changed during Bush's terms?

[SaveAmerica]

Did I read during the election that laws and bills that penalized companies for hiring illegal immigrants were put in place during Bill Clinton's presidency and that under W many of the laws/bills were voted out?

Does anyone know where I can find these reversals and who in congress voted for them? Thanks very much.

[sybylla]

1. What penalties?

I worked with a legal immigrant on his visa status in the 1990's and the only penalties for employers I saw in the Naturalization and Immigration statutes were a pittance per offense - $1000. These employers save more than that a year in pay to the illegals - heck, depending on the job maybe in a month.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that these penalties have been eliminated. I know enforcement dropped from Clinton's last year where I believe there were over 200 employers prosecuted to 3 in Bush's first year.

[SaveAmerica]

2. That's exactly the information I'm looking for, I thought it was a change

in laws and not in enforcement, though. I'm coming up empty on my searches, I'll try with 'enforcement' and see what I get, thank you.