On January 27, the Mississippi House of Representatives approved an immigration enforcement bill providing for fines of up to $25,000 per day against employers that hire unauthorized workers. As reported by the Clarion Ledger, the House amendments to Senate Bill 2179 are a significant departure from the original provisions, paving the way for a contentious reconciliation process. Before the bill can become law, it needs to be approved by the Senate, then signed by the Governor.

Originally, S.B. 2179 provided that a Mississippi resident could sue public officials or agencies that adopt or implement policies limiting or restricting the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Courts could impose civil penalties of between $500 to $5,000 for each day the policy remained in effect after a suit was filed.

The House amendments not only bring in employers as the enforcement target, but also dramatically increase the penalties. The amendments provide that a person may sue an employer “to challenge the hiring practices of the employer as being in violation of . . . the enforcement of state or federal immigration laws.” Moreover, courts could impose penalties of between $5,000 and $25,000 for each day the employer committed a violation. 

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