The Enforcing the Rule of Law on Campus Act, or S.4090, is a proposed law that aims to ensure colleges and universities follow immigration laws. It does this by cutting off federal funding to schools that employ individuals who are in the country illegally.
What This Bill Does
S.4090 is designed to change the rules for colleges and universities that receive federal money. Under this bill, these schools would not be allowed to hire people who are in the U.S. without legal permission. If they do, they risk losing all federal funding. This means that schools must be very careful about who they hire, ensuring that every employee is legally allowed to work in the United States.
The bill uses existing systems like I-9 forms and E-Verify to check if someone is eligible to work. It doesn't create new crimes or penalties but uses the threat of losing federal money as a way to make schools comply. This is a big deal because many schools rely heavily on federal funds for things like student loans and grants.
The bill was introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn and is supported by several other senators. It is a straightforward piece of legislation, but it could have significant consequences for schools that don't follow the rules.
Why It Matters
This bill could have a big impact on colleges and universities across the country. If a school is found to be employing someone who is in the U.S. illegally, it could lose access to federal funds. This includes money for student loans and grants, which many students rely on to pay for their education.
For students, this means that if their school loses funding, they might have to find other ways to pay for college or even transfer to a different school. For schools, it means they need to be extra careful about their hiring practices to avoid losing crucial funding. This could lead to more rigorous checks and possibly even affect who they choose to hire.
Key Facts
- The bill could affect any college or university receiving federal funds under the Higher Education Act.
- Students relying on Pell Grants and federal loans could be impacted if their school loses funding.
- The bill was introduced on April 9, 2024, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- There is no official cost estimate yet, but the bill could lead to reduced federal spending if schools lose eligibility.
- Implementation details and timelines would likely be determined by the Department of Education if the bill is passed.
- States with large immigrant populations and public university systems could be most affected.
- The bill does not specify a phase-in date, leaving implementation details to be worked out later.
Arguments in Support
- Supporters argue that the bill enforces existing immigration laws by ensuring that federally funded schools do not hire unauthorized workers.
- They believe it protects taxpayer dollars by preventing them from being used to support institutions that break immigration laws.
- The bill is seen as a way to reduce incentives for illegal immigration by limiting job opportunities for unauthorized workers.
- It promotes fair job competition by reserving campus jobs for citizens and lawful residents.
- The bill encourages schools to improve their compliance systems, reducing legal risks.
Arguments in Opposition
- Critics argue that the bill's penalties are too harsh, risking all federal funding for a single hiring mistake.
- There is concern that it could punish schools for innocent paperwork errors, leading to overly cautious hiring practices.
- Opponents worry that the bill could negatively impact undocumented students and create a hostile campus environment.
- Some believe it could infringe on academic freedom and institutional autonomy by using funding as leverage.
- There is a risk of increased discrimination in hiring as schools try to avoid any possibility of hiring unauthorized workers.