A new bill introduced by Rep. Brandon Gill (R‑TX) would slash tax deductions for companies hiring undocumented workers, removing a financial incentive that critics say encourages illegal immigration. The “New IDEA Act” mandates that firms employing illegal aliens be barred from deducting wages and benefits from their federal taxes. The measure would also require the IRS and Social Security Administration to share data with DHS to tighten enforcement and spur widespread use of E‑Verify, the federal employment verification system.
The legislation offers a carrot-and-stick approach: businesses that use E‑Verify properly and hire legally authorized workers could still deduct expenses. Enforcement would include revoking deductions for companies found employing undocumented workers. Proponents argue this change is critical to dismantling the “jobs magnet” that draws illegal immigrants to the U.S. By targeting employer behavior, the bill aims to shift the economic burden off taxpayers and onto those flouting the law.
Supporters view the New IDEA Act as a commonsense solution aligned with broader conservative policy goals—securing borders, restoring fairness to American labor, and holding employers accountable. Rep. Gill emphasized the urgency: “We shouldn’t be doling out American jobs to illegal aliens from foreign nations,” he said, adding that the bill promotes a “thriving economy” by channeling opportunities to U.S. citizens and legal residents.
As ICE continues workplace enforcement and state governments pursue similar employer accountability measures, this bill underscores a national strategy: attacking both the supply and demand sides of illegal immigration. If enacted, the New IDEA Act would mark a major shift in how immigration policy is enforced, placing the burden squarely on businesses rather than taxpayers or police.
