U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has notified seven Mainland companies that they will be considered for debarment from federal contracting because each has been found to be unlawfully employing persons without employment authorization.

"By using debarment in appropriate circumstances, the federal government can avoid working with businesses that employ an illegal workforce and unscrupulously undercut their competitors to gain an unfair market advantage because of reduced labor costs. This is yet another tool that we believe will further ensure compliance with our nation's immigration employment laws," says ICE spokesperson Julie L. Myers. The Federal Acquisition Regulations provide that contractors may be considered for debarment if they have been found to have either knowingly hired an unauthorized worker or to continue to employ an alien who is or becomes unauthorized.