Illegal aliens are not a protected class, according to a recent decision by the Seventh Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals

The case was decided under the country’s leading anti-discrimination law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits discrimination against employees because of their membership in a protected class. The statute lays out which classes are protected at work. Protected classes include race, color, creed, gender, etc. Nothing in Title VII, or any other law, protects illegal aliens as a class of people. The Seventh Circuit reached the right result. If the Seventh Circuit had held otherwise, companies wouldn’t be able to discharge individuals who purport to be authorized to work here, but aren’t. It’s a significant ruling with clear implications. Individuals who are working in the United States aren’t protected from discrimination because of their unauthorized work status. Companies are free to discharge such individuals if they learn of their unauthorized work status.