The American government has announced tougher action against businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Under the plan, employers will have 90 days to prove the workers are legal US residents or fire them. Employers who fail to take action face fines of up to $12,500 per violation and possible criminal charges.

The stricter measures come after Congress failed to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

The US government has already stepped up raids on companies employing illegal workers, and the number of criminal investigations of employers has also risen.

The new plan will also strengthen patrols on the Mexican border.

However, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said such initiatives alone would not stamp out illegal immigration.

The new measures could have major implications for America’s agriculture, construction and hospitality industries which employ the highest numbers of illegal immigrants. Growers’ associations estimate that more than 70 percent of the farm workers in America’s fields are illegal immigrants.