When federal authorities catch illegal immigrants on the job, some U.S. employers are quick to avert blame from themselves and place it on the shoulders of contractors. These middlemen, including recruiters and temporary agencies, are playing an increasingly significant role in hiring and managing the nation's workforce. Immigration authorities often don't go after the employer when a contractor is involved.
See "Contractors Often Play a Key Role in the Hiring of Illegal Immigrants", Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times, April 16, 2006