Buckeye Reporter

U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and U.S. Representative Jim Banks (R-Ind.) have introduced a bill that would link a university's federal funding to its compliance with federal immigration law. The proposed legislation, named the "College Employment Accountability Act," is designed to prevent public universities from employing illegal immigrants.

"Left-wing college administrators want to transform their campuses into sanctuary cities," said Senator JD Vance, U.S. Senator from Ohio. "Their latest scheme at the University of California is the most lawless yet: ignore federal law and hire illegal immigrants. If universities want to receive federal funding, they have to abide by federal immigration law and participate in E-Verify. We cannot let American tax dollars fund illegal wages."

The bill seeks to connect federal institutional aid and student assistance to a university's adherence to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as per a press release from Vance. Additionally, the legislation would require participation in the E-Verify Program and promote collaboration between the Departments of Education and Homeland Security to ensure public universities comply with immigration law.

As reported by the Washington Free Beacon, this legislative initiative comes in response to the University of California's proposal to permit students who are illegal immigrants to work on campus, an action Vance labeled as "lawless." Despite the University's decision to delay this plan until after the November election, Vance and Banks are advocating for their bill which seeks amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965. This amendment aims at preventing institutions that employ illegal immigrants from receiving federal aid. Senators Josh Hawley, Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio along with Representative Bob Good have expressed support for this bill.

"American universities receive tens of billions of dollars in federal funds every year," said Rep. Banks in a press release. "Ensuring they’re not violating the law, employing illegal aliens, and driving down wages for American workers is the least we can do."

According to his official website, JD Vance serves as a U.S. Senator for Ohio since his election in 2022. He is an Iraq veteran and authored "Hillbilly Elegy," which has been adapted into a Netflix movie.