Yet because they lack legal status, these immigrants are unable to fully exercise their rights or to participate in our communities. Undocumented immigrants live in fear that they will be taken away from the lives they have built in this country. Many undocumented immigrants have spouses or children who are US citizens. Though some of these immigrants might qualify for legal status already, because of the 1996 immigration laws they cannot obtain legal status without risking separation of possibly ten years from their families. Undocumented workers are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation in the workplace.
Immigration law imposes sanctions against employers who hire undocumented immigrants.
These immigrants, however, are often able to find work with employers who are unaware of or who overlook their undocumented status. In fact, many industries rely heavily on the labor of undocumented immigrants. These workers may be subject to harsh working conditions, substandard wages, unpaid overtime, worksite hazards, discrimination and even sexual harassment. Indeed, the workers generally fear that their employers will report them to INS if they try to report their conditions or to organize to change them. The present system of employer sanctions thus perpetuates workplace abuses that affect all workers.