Rick Rickman
Published: March 20, 2026
NJ law protects workers who are in the country illegally, court rules
*** begin quote ***
- Top court rules all workers must be paid regardless of immigration status
- Employer who hired immigrant worker now on the hook for years of unpaid labor
- Decision impacts all businesses using off-the-books employees.
The highest court in New Jersey has ruled that all employees must be paid for their work, including unauthorized immigrants hired illegally.
Under federal law, employers cannot hire unauthorized migrants. Civil penalties for businesses that break this law range from $250 to $10,000 per person hired illegally. Employers who engage in a pattern of hiring unauthorized migrants can face up to six months in prison.
In New Jersey, state law requires employers to pay their workers overtime and at least minimum wage. Put simply, a person must be paid for their work. The state Department of Labor says it enforces the law “without regard to immigration status.”
*** and ***
However, Chief Justice Rabner said the lower court ignored the employer’s responsibility to keep accurate records.
*** end quote ***
Whatever happened to the famous “clean hands” criteria made famous from Judge Judy?
Remember the sources of my education: I’m just a fat old white guy low index Jasper injineer with “degrees” in: Law from watching Judge Judy, Medicine from watching Doctor Phil, Building from watching “Holmes on Homes”, Investing from watching Bernie Made-off, and sensitively Managing Human Resources from watching Chef Ramsey.
What the Chief Justice ignores is that while “employers cannot hire unauthorized migrants” Lopez AND Ruane BOTH knew he was an unauthorized immigrant.
Therefore, IMHO, neither had “clean hands” and the matter should have been immediately dismissed. The Chief Justice should have: remanded both Lopez and Ruane to jail, notified ICE about Lopez and Ruane to the Federal Deputy Attorney General for New Jersey.
Also, Congress, and Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee politicians and bureaucrats should ALL get a collective kick in the ass for “birthright citizenship” and an insane non-recognition of peaceful law abiding “illegal immigrants”.
If I was “king”, I’d solve this in a heartbeat.
- Change the rules about federal funds for States who don’t abide by or hinder Federal law (i.e., don’t take federal funds if you don’t want to follow federal law).
- End “birthright citizenship” PERIOD!
- ALL peaceful “illegal immigrants” get a green card which is IMMEDIATELY revoked upon a felony convictions.
- Naturalized citizens are “denaturalized” IMMEDIATELY if they committed fraud or a felony.
- Illegal immigrants, who came is as children, get a green card and must abide here in peace without committing fraud or felonies. (We don’t punish people for what their parents do!)
Simple, easy to understand, fair to the
Argh!
— 30 —
Posted by reinkefj 
Reinke Faces Life 