Final answer:
The policy of only hiring individuals born in the United States may violate federal laws based on the Fourteenth Amendment and the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Step-by-step explanation:
The policy of only hiring individuals born in the United States may violate federal laws. The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens and are entitled to equal protection under the law. This means that an employer cannot discriminate against individuals based on their place of birth when hiring, as it goes against the equal protection clause.
Additionally, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) prohibits employers from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants. However, it is important to note that the prohibition is focused on hiring illegal immigrants, not on hiring individuals based on their place of birth.
Therefore, if the policy of only hiring individuals born in the United States is used to exclude individuals who are qualified to work but not born in the U.S., it may violate federal laws.