DES MOINES, IA - Legislative Democrats today are calling for steps to curb illegal immigration by holding corporate executives and employees accountable for hiring undocumented workers in Iowa.

A proposal backed by Democrats in the House and Senate seeks to impose fines and possible jail time for corporate leaders engage in unfair business practices aimed at exploiting cheap labor.

The legislative package also would outlaw human trafficking, provide whistle-blower protections to employees who expose the hiring of undocumented workers, and establish an employer accountability bureau in the Iowa Attorney General's office to probe companies suspected of hiring undocumented workers.

Legislative Democrats also are seeking to shut off state assistance, economic development grants or tax cuts to corporations proven to have hired illegal, undocumented workers.