> why does an employer need to care? The IRS certainly doesn't care whether you're working legally or illegally, as long as they get their share. The employer

> why does an employer need to care? The IRS certainly doesn't care whether you're working legally or illegally, as long as they get their share. The employer is mandated to care by immigration law, since it's against the law to hire someone who is not authorized to work in the US. > we wanted to curb illegal immigration ... some sort of criminal penalties for hiring undocumented non-residents This would certainly make a big impact. > then some sort of "you're allowed to work here" token from the feds It's called an Employement Authorization Document or EAD, issued by USCIS.