Designed to slow the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country, the proposal is the first to threaten business owners with substantial fines and legal action if they hire illegal workers. Enforcing immigration laws at the employer end is currently one of the lowest priorities for federal law enforcement.

Immigration law currently requires employers to accept printed employment documents if they appear to be genuine. The new law would require employers to verify employees?EUR??,,????'??? worker status using a nationwide computer database. Those who failed to do so would face prosecution and fines.

The bill?EUR??,,????'??+which would also make being an undocumented immigrant a felony?EUR??,,????'??+is opposed by a broad coalition, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the ACLU, libertarian groups and landscape industry groups.

?EUR??,,????'??The bill cannot be sugar-coated,?EUR??,,????'?? said a statement from the American Nursery and Landscape Association (www.anla.org). ?EUR??,,????'??For employers, it is a terrible bill?EUR??,,????'??? it represents a death warrant for U.S. agriculture (and landscape) industry.?EUR??,,????'??

The House Judiciary Committee completed work on the bill on Dec. 8. If the House passes the bill, the Senate would then take the issue up early in 2006.

The ANLA urges green-industry business owners to contact their representatives in Congress to urge opposition to the bill?EUR??,,????'??+which is known as H.R. 4437, ?EUR??,,????'??The Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005.?EUR??,,????'??