Prairie State Wire

Steve Cortes, President of League of American Workers, said increased ICE enforcement is needed in Illinois to address possible child labor by illegal immigrants, referencing a California case. This statement was made in an interview.

According to AP News, Federal agents conducted a raid at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California, targeting a cannabis cultivation facility. The operation led to a confrontation with protesters, during which authorities deployed smoke canisters to disperse the crowd. Glass House Farms confirmed that it was visited by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and stated that it fully complied with agent search warrants. The incident underscores heightened federal immigration enforcement in the region, contributing to increased anxiety within immigrant communities.

Economic Policy Institute reported the number of minors employed in violation of child labor laws increased by 37% in the last year and has risen by 283% since 2015. This trend coincides with legislative efforts in at least ten states to roll back child labor protections. The report highlights that these developments pose significant risks to the safety and well-being of young workers, particularly in hazardous occupations.

In 2023, the Illinois Department of Labor received 1,081 child labor complaints, reflecting a 36% increase from the previous year and highlighting a trend of rising violations. The state issued 1,157 employment certificates for minors and conducted 1,206 inspections, which led to 114 citations for breaking child labor laws. These figures underscore a measurable increase in enforcement activity and identified violations across various industries in Illinois. 

Steve Cortes is the founder and president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group. He previously served as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and has been a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Cortes is known for advocating for patriotic populism, emphasizing national sovereignty and populist economics. He has appeared daily on TV news programs since 2007, beginning at CNBC, commenting on financial markets, and later transitioning to politics. Cortes graduated from Georgetown University.