How immigration changes are impacting California workers’ compensation

Vine Notes

Vine Notes (

nbbj.news/vinenotes) is a monthly column by Rabobank, Farella Braun + Martel and Heffernan Insurance Brokers.

Debra Costa (707-789-3051,

DebraC@HeffINS.com) is a senior vice president and vintner practice leader for Heffernan Insurance Brokers. The firm works with producers of 1,000 to 1 million-plus cases annually, from virtual wineries to some of the top 50 wineries in the U.S.

With an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and continued talk of a border wall, the Trump administration has taken a hard line on illegal immigration.

Not everyone supports the stance, however. California has officially declared itself a “sanctuary state,” giving protections to undocumented immigrants and limiting local and state police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. These conflicting positions may be leaving many people confused, especially when it comes to workers' compensation.

Many of California's workers are undocumented immigrants. Between 2.35 million and 2.6 million undocumented immigrants are believed to be living in California, according to 2014 estimates. Approximately 9 percent of the state's workers are believed to be undocumented immigrants.

Undocumented workers form a significant part of California's workforce, and California courts have previously ruled that they are entitled to workers' compensation.

Insurance Journal reports that the Second District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of an undocumented worker fighting for workers' compensation in 2005. After the worker was injured on the job, the employer argued that federal immigration laws meant that no compensation was due. The court found that immigration status was irrelevant.

The California Department of Industrial Relations states that all workers, regardless of legal status, are protected by labor laws once hired. Their rights include benefits in case of injury and taking action without experiencing retaliation.

WORKERS AT RISK

Claiming workers' compensation can put undocumented workers at risk. California is not alone in ruling that undocumented workers have rights under labor laws. Many states have ruled that undocumented immigrants are entitled to workers' compensation. However, claiming workers' compensation can still put undocumented workers at risk.

NPR reports that Florida, like California, gives rights to undocumented workers. However, undocumented workers who claim benefits using false identification are often denied benefits and charged with fraud under Florida law. In Massachusetts, an undocumented construction worker was detained by ICE after breaking his leg.

California law offers additional protections to undocumented workers. Recently passed sanctuary-state laws prohibit employers from turning undocumented employees into immigration enforcement officers unless required by federal law.

Among other things, the law states that employers cannot voluntarily allow immigration enforcement agents to enter nonpublic areas or voluntarily allow immigration enforcement agents to access, review or obtain the employer's employee records without a subpoena or judicial warrant.

Employers who violate this law may face fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

ICE RESPONDS WITH RAIDS

ICE has been conducting raids on California workplaces suspected of employing undocumented workers. In January, approximately 100 7-Eleven stores were targeted nationwide. Since then, California has become the focus of many raids. SFGate reports that 77 raids targeted businesses in Northern California. According to CNN, this is in direct response to California's Sanctuary State law.

At the moment, while California's new sanctuary-state laws give undocumented workers additional protection, the chance of a raid by federal immigration agents puts these workers in an uncertain position.

Vine Notes

Vine Notes (

nbbj.news/vinenotes) is a monthly column by Rabobank, Farella Braun + Martel and Heffernan Insurance Brokers.

Debra Costa (707-789-3051,

DebraC@HeffINS.com) is a senior vice president and vintner practice leader for Heffernan Insurance Brokers. The firm works with producers of 1,000 to 1 million-plus cases annually, from virtual wineries to some of the top 50 wineries in the U.S.

Show Comment