# Plain Language Summary: Equal Protection for American Workers Act

This bill would prevent the Department of Homeland Security from giving work permits to anyone who has been found to be in the country illegally at any point in time. Once someone is officially determined through an immigration court proceeding to have been unlawfully present in the United States, they would be permanently barred from ever receiving authorization to work here legally—even if they later become eligible for legal status through other means.

The practical effect is that this creates a lifetime ban on work authorization for anyone with a history of illegal presence. Currently, some people who were in the country without permission can later adjust their status and receive work permits if they meet certain requirements. This bill would close that door entirely. For example, someone who entered the country illegally but later married a U.S. citizen or had a U.S. citizen child might normally be able to apply for legal status and work authorization. Under this bill, that wouldn't be possible—their past illegal presence would permanently disqualify them, regardless of their current circumstances or how long ago the illegal presence occurred.

The bill applies only to people who have been formally found by an immigration judge to have been unlawfully present. It doesn't affect people who are currently in the country legally or those who have never had an official determination against them. However, for those it does affect, the consequence is severe and permanent: they would be unable to work legally in the United States, even if they later become citizens or gain legal permanent resident status through other pathways.

Equal Protection for American Workers Act

Burgess, Michael C.

Equal Protection for American Workers Act This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from granting work authorization to an alien who has been determined in a valid immigration proceeding to have been at any time unlawfully present in the United States.