From Jennifer Leavitt-Wipf,
Your Guide to Immigration Issues.
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Definition: The employer sanctions provision of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 prohibits employers from hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee aliens known to be unauthorized to work in the United States. Violators of the law are subject to a series of civil fines for violations or criminal penalties when there is a pattern or practice of violations.

Pronunciation: em-ploy-er sank-shuns

Examples: Stuart Ross violated U.S. immigration employer sanctions when he knowingly hired a Mexican immigrant without a valid work visa, green card or employment authorization document.