Last week Emma Grant’s line cook and 25 other undocumented employees at her bar-b-que restaurant Emma Grant’s Bar-B-Que were working the lunch shift when it was raided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, apparently at least in partial response to a recent executive order. Can the President of the United States do that? Can this be a problem for Emma Grant and her bar-b-que restaurant?
Executive Orders
Recognized since George Washington as being authorized by Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution that provides “the executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America,” there have been more than 13,000 issued, in one form or another, since 1789. Notable executive orders were Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and Franklin Roosevelt’s mandatory registration of aliens from World War II enemy countries. FDR also holds the record, by far, of the most Executive Orders at 3,721; next closest is Woodrow Wilson at 1,803. To date, President Donald Trump has issued twelve executive orders. Suggested as undoing many of President Barack Obama’s policies, here’s a list and short summary of each. The Federal Register details the executive orders transcripts, numbers and disposition tables from Herbert Hoover to date.
The Legal Reality
But what about Emma’s exposure? Yes, as the employer of the undocumented workers, Emma Grant could have liability. Employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of each person hired after Nov. 6, 1986 and complete and retain Form I-9. Failure to do so can result in civil fines ($539 for each at the first offense and up to $21,563 for each after multiple offenses), criminal penalties (when there is a pattern or practice of violations), and debarment from government contracts.
Tilting the Scales in Your Favor
Get a completed I-9 for each employee. Undertake reasonable and diligent investigation, if appropriate. For key employees, consider undertaking steps to secure their legal residency in the United States.
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