Abstract
This Note explains why the Supreme Court's decision in Hoffman threatens to do the exact opposite of what the Court intended. Specifically, while the majority's opinion purports to maintain the integrity of IRCA, it will likely undermine the Act by encouraging employers to hire undocumented workers.' In addition to creating confusion, the Hoffman decision offends traditional notions of statutory construction by departing from both the text of the statute and the legislative intent. Furthermore, the holding has the de facto effect of forging a new way to investigate IRCA violations and grants employers a new defense to liability. Moreover, in effect, the holding condones employer violations of IRCA. In light of the foregoing and Hoffman's threat to immigration, labor, and employment law and policy, Congress must clarify its intent or the Court must overturn its decision. Following this Introduction, Part II of this Note provides some background by introducing basic issues faced by undocumented immigrants in the U.S. workforce and by outlining the legal landscape pertinent to the Hoffman decision and subsequent case law. By examining memoranda and announcements from federal agencies that enforce the labor and employment laws at issue in Hoffman, Part III analyzes how lower courts and agencies have interpreted Hoffman. Part III also outlines subsequent cases, identifying principles and themes they have generated. Part IV explains why courts should continue to limit Hoffman to its facts and why the Court should overturn the case or Congress should clarify its intent. A summary and concluding remarks are presented in Part V.
Recommended Citation
Elizabeth R. Baldwin, Damage Control: Staking Claim to Employment Law Remedies for Undocumented Immigrant Workers After Hoffman Plastic Compounds, Inc. v. NLRB, 27 SEATTLE U. L. REV. 233 (2003).
