Putting American Workers First Act

Senate Bill

S. 3215

119th Congress

Putting American Workers First Act

In Committee

Introduced:Nov 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Jim Banks

R - IN

Cosponsors

4

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

The Putting American Workers First Act makes it an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act to employ or union-represent unauthorized immigrants. Employers and unions that use E-Verify or similar employment verification systems in good faith would be protected from liability, and discharging an unauthorized worker could not be used as evidence of anti-union animus.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Putting American Workers First Act makes it an unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act to employ or union-represent unauthorized immigrants. Employers and unions that use E-Verify or similar employment verification systems in good faith would be protected from liability, and discharging an unauthorized worker could not be used as evidence of anti-union animus.

Last updated: 12/27/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Makes employing unauthorized immigrants an unfair labor practice under NLRA
Makes union representation of unauthorized workers an unfair labor practice
Provides safe harbor for employers using E-Verify in good faith
Firing unauthorized workers cannot be evidence of anti-union discrimination
Applies to both employers and labor organizations

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Employers would face NLRA liability for hiring unauthorized workers in addition to existing immigration penalties. Unions could not represent unauthorized workers in collective bargaining. E-Verify usage would become more important as a legal safe harbor for employers.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3215, 119th Congress (2025). "Putting American Workers First Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3215