College Employment Accountability Act

Hozzl · 2025-04-21T12:24:17Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 1123 College Employment Accountability Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Education. Stay informed on legislative developments.

4/21/2025, 12:24 PM

Summary of Bill S 1123

Bill 119 s 1123, also known as the "Higher Education Act Amendment Act," aims to make changes to the Higher Education Act of 1965. The main purpose of this bill is to prevent institutions of higher education that employ unauthorized aliens from receiving funds from Federal student assistance or Federal institutional aid. In addition, the bill also requires institutions of higher education to participate in the E-Verify Program in order to be eligible to participate in any program authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act.

The E-Verify Program is a system that allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of their employees by checking their information against government databases. By requiring institutions of higher education to participate in this program, the bill aims to ensure that all employees at these institutions are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Overall, the goal of Bill 119 s 1123 is to promote compliance with immigration laws and prevent the employment of unauthorized aliens at institutions of higher education that receive federal funding. This bill is currently under consideration in Congress and may have significant implications for how institutions of higher education operate and receive federal funding in the future.

Congressional Summary of S 1123

College Employment Accountability Act

This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from receiving certain federal funds or participating in federal student aid programs if the IHE does not take certain actions to prohibit the employment at the IHE of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who do not have work authorization.

Specifically, the bill prohibits an IHE from receiving federal funds for student assistance or institutional aid if the IHE employs unauthorized individuals in violation of a specified section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). (The section prohibits an employer from knowingly hiring, recruiting or referring for a fee, or continuing to employ a non-U.S. national who lacks work authorization.)

Additionally, the bill requires an IHE that participates in federal student aid programs to participate in the E-Verify system. (This system allows employers and recruiters to verify an individual's eligibility for employment. The system is largely voluntary; however, federal employers, including federal contractors, must use E-Verify. Some IHEs currently participate in the system.)

The bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to, every six months, monitor whether an IHE is participating in the E-Verify system. Further, DHS must notify the Department of Education within 10 days of finding that an IHE (1) employs unauthorized individuals in violation of the INA, or (2) is not participating in the E-Verify system.

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Current Status of Bill S 1123

Bill S 1123 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 25, 2025. Bill S 1123 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on March 25, 2025. Bill S 1123's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of March 25, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1123

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1123

Primary Policy Focus

Education

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1123

A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution of higher education that employs unauthorized aliens from receiving funds from Federal student assistance or Federal institutional aid and to require institutions of higher education to participate in the E-Verify Program in order to be eligible to participate in any program authorized under title IV of such Act.