ICE Fines Colorado Companies $8M for Hiring Unauthorised Workers

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced substantial fines totalling over $8 million against three Colorado businesses accused of hiring unauthorised workers. 

Simultaneously, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing Colorado over what it alleges are obstructive immigration enforcement policies, intensifying the legal and political battle over immigration control. The fines, announced Monday, stem from extensive worksite audits conducted by ICE. CCS Denver, Inc. faces the largest penalty, exceeding $6 million, after ICE reported a 100% violation rate, alleging that the company employed at least 87 individuals not legally authorised to work in the United States. 

PBC Commercial Cleaning Systems, Inc. was cited with a fine exceeding $1 million, with officials reporting a 74% violation rate and alleging a pattern of knowingly employing at least 12 unauthorised workers. Green Management Denver was fined over $200,000 after investigators reported a 100% violation rate and identified 44 allegedly ineligible workers.

Charles Engel, Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security in Denver emphasises the economic implications of such hiring practices, stating that they create an unfair competitive advantage by allowing companies to utilise lower-cost labour while depriving workers of fair wages and benefits. Engel adds that workers hired unlawfully often endure exploitative conditions.

ICE officials reiterate that the enforcement actions target business owners rather than workers, and Engel encourages companies and the public to report concerns or seek guidance on employment verification processes. He stresses that ICE is prepared to assist businesses in ensuring compliance with labour laws. The investigation into these companies reportedly began several years ago, spurred by tips from the public. 

Authorities note that enforcement efforts have recently intensified, leading to the financial penalties now imposed. Attempts to contact two of the businesses for their response to the fines were unsuccessful, while the third company could not be reached due to a lack of a current business address or phone number. In a separate but related action, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the state of Colorado and the city of Denver on Friday, accusing local officials of obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts through so-called "sanctuary laws." 

The lawsuit claims that these policies violate the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution, which grants the federal government authority over immigration policy. While the term "sanctuary city" lacks a strict legal definition, it generally refers to jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. ICE has frequently sought assistance from local governments in carrying out deportations, including holding individuals flagged for immigration violations until federal officers take custody. According to the DOJ’s lawsuit, Colorado’s policies have impeded these efforts.

The federal government’s efforts to challenge sanctuary policies are part of a broader national strategy to enforce immigration laws more aggressively. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Chicago and Rochester, New York, as the DOJ pushes back against local governments that decline to participate in certain federal immigration enforcement activities.

Republican lawmakers have ramped up pressure on Democratic-led cities over immigration policies, arguing that they contribute to unchecked illegal migration and security concerns. Last month, mayors from several major cities, including Denver, Boston, New York, and Chicago, testified before Congress in defence of their approaches. They rejected claims that their jurisdictions had become lawless or unsafe and urged lawmakers to pursue comprehensive immigration reform.