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Immigration

When English-Speaking staff resent Spanish chatter

02/01/2008

Q. We have a collegial atmosphere in our small factory. But several of our production line workers who don’t speak Spanish are complaining that bilingual employees chat among themselves in Spanish, leaving the others out of the loop. Everyone speaks English when talking about work, so it’s not a safety issue. Still, the non-Spanish speakers resent the Spanish chatter and wonder if they’re being talked about. What can we do? — L.C, Illinois …

Public employers, contractors must use DHS verification system

02/01/2008

The Georgia Department of Labor recently issued rules on compliance with the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act of 2006, which requires all public employers and employers with state contracts to electronically verify workers’ employment eligibility …

Colorado Immigration Law

02/01/2008

In view of concerns about undocumented workers, Colorado recently enacted its own immigration law, which requires employers to take certain actions beyond what the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act mandates. Employers must make an affirmation within 20 days of hiring a new employee …

Washington Update: News from the NLRB, EEOC and USCIS

01/15/2008

The New Year often brings a flurry of activity from the many federal government agencies that address employment issues, and 2008 is no exception. We’ve got good news on employers’ control over workplace e-mail, bad news for employers who discriminate and mixed news for those who want to hire foreign workers.

Who screened these screeners?

01/01/2008

An investigation by federal, state and Chicago authorities uncovered no fewer than 23 illegal immigrants working in security-sensitive areas at O’Hare International Airport. Ideal Staffing Solutions Inc., of Bensenville, employed the workers …

FBI, CIA hired illegal immigrant with ties to Hezbollah

01/01/2008

The FBI and the CIA scrambled to defend their screening practices after discovering that one of their agents was an illegal immigrant with ties to Hezbollah. Officials at the FBI and the CIA insisted the agencies conducted thorough background checks …

Michigan Legislature considers illegal immigration laws

01/01/2008

While federal immigration reform remains in limbo, several Michigan lawmakers have proposed a package of bills that would crack down on companies that hire illegal immigrants. The laws would make it a felony to knowingly hire an illegal worker …

Class-Action status granted for disgruntled immigrant workers

01/01/2008

A Mexican woman has been granted permission to serve as the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against a company that recruits and places temporary agricultural workers on farms and other agricultural operations in North Carolina and other states. The woman claims that International Labor Management Corporation purposely placed women in less lucrative temporary visa programs than men …

Arizona’s Draconian Immigration Law Unnerves Employers Nationwide

12/18/2007

On Jan. 1, 2008, Arizona’s tough anti-immigration law takes effect and the state’s employers are worried. Businesses that are caught employing undocumented workers face the suspension or loss of their business license. And employers in other states are worrying about the spread of such laws to their states.

Verifying I-9 document

12/01/2007

Q. It is my understanding that employers are required to view I-9 verifying documents within three business days of an employee’s hire. My company hires employees in various states, and I cannot personally view the I-9 documentation of the out-of-state employees. What process is acceptable for completion of the I-9 verification process if I cannot personally view the required documentation? …