It is a federal felony to employ illegal aliens. Here is the law.

Basic Pilot enables employers to verify employment elegibility of newly hired employees.

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) are jointly conducting the Basic Pilot Program. The Basic Pilot Program involves verification checks of the SSA and DHS databases, using an automated system to verify the employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

The Basic Pilot Program has been in operation since November 1997. Legislation signed by the President on December 3, 2003, extended the Basic Pilot Program until November 2008, and expanded the Basic Pilot Program to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

An employer’s participation in the Basic Pilot Program is voluntary, and is free to participating employers.

Users can access the Basic Pilot Program from any Internet capable personal computer. The program is Windows based and a web browser of Internet Explorer 5.5 or Netscape 4.7 or higher is required (with the exception of Netscape 7.0).

Some features of the Internet version of the Basic Pilot Program include: online-registration, reporting capability for users, and availability of the system 19-hours a day. Participating employers have quick and easy access to on-line resources such as the Basic Pilot User Manual, the Basic Pilot Tutorial, and the Handbook for Employers.

The DHS-USCIS and the SSA continue to recruit employers for participation in the Basic Pilot Program. To participate an employer must register and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets forth the responsibilities of the SSA, DHS-USCIS, and the employer. To view a sample of the MOU, click on the “View MOU Sample” bar below*.

If you need assistance in completing the MOU or need additional information relating to the Basic Pilot Program, please call the SAVE Program toll free at 1-888-464-4218.

If your company is interested in participating in the Basic Pilot Program, click on the “Begin Basic Pilot Program Registration*” bar show below. To leave the system, click “Exit.” Thank you for your interest in the Basic Pilot Program.

* Click here for access to links mentioned above

More info here.