Minnesota’s top elected officials said this week they’ll enforce a new state law against wage theft by employers, even if the victims are workers not in the U-S legally. State Attorney General Keith Ellison warns employers about exploitation of undocumented immigrants that “there are some folks who we know seek out undocumented people because they think there won’t be enforcement action. Those people are mistaken and they should abide by the law.” Governor Tim Walz says, “We will stand on the side of basic human dignity and we will not put people at risk or dehumanize anyone due to their status.”
Observers say strict enforcement of Minnesota’s wage theft law could set up a conflict with federal enforcement of immigration laws. Republicans aren’t commenting.