By: Coleman Jackson, Attorney
August 27, 2015

Texas Government Code §2264.051 stipulates that vendors doing business with any public agency, state or local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation in Texas must certify in writing that the business, or a branch, division, or department of the business, does not and will not knowingly employ an undocumented worker.

The certification statement must also stipulate that if, after receiving a public subsidy, the business or a branch, division, or department of the business, is convicted of a violation under the Immigration and Nationality Laws of the United States, 8 U.S.C.A.  §1324a(f), the business will repay the amount of the public subsidy with interest, at the rate and according to the other terms provided by an agreement under Texas Government Code § 2264.053, not later than the 120^th day after the date the public agency, state or local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation notifies the business of the violation.  INA, 8 U.S.C.A. §1324a essentially deals with persons or entities that violate the U.S. immigration laws by hiring, or recruiting or referring for a fee for employment in the United States an undocumented person.  A person or entity charged with violations of 8 U.S. C.A. §1324a may establish that it has compiled in good faith with the requirements with respect to the hiring, recruiting, or referral for employment of an alien (illegal alien is the term used in the INA to refer to an undocumented person or a person who came to the U.S.A. without inspection or overstayed their visa) in the United States.  Anyway, If a person or entity charged with a violation under 8 U.S.C.A. §1324a, establishes an affirmative defense, a conviction could possibly be avoided, and the person or entity doing business with a Texas public agency, state or local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation could probably avoid the penalty of repaying Texas all public subsidies received with interest under Tex. Gov’t Code §§2264.051-2264.101.

A public agency, local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation, or the attorney general on behalf of the state or the state agency, may bring a civil action to recover any amount owed to the public agency, state or local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation against any person or entity convicted of 8 U.S.C.A.  §1324a violations pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 2264.101.

Specifics regarding your company, workers, or government contracts should be discussed with legal counsel of your choice.  This overview is supplied for educational purposes, is only an overview, and do not create an attorney-client relationship with the Immigration & Tax Law Firm of:

COLEMAN JACKSON, PC
6060 North Central Expressway
Suite 443
Dallas, Texas 75206
Phone:  (214) 599-0431 English
Phone:  (214) 599-0432 Spanish
Website:  www.cjacksonlaw.com