• The HR Specialist - Print Newsletter
  • HR Specialist: Employment Law
  • The HR Weekly

Immigration

How to handle ‘No-Match’ letters: New rules go into effect on Sept. 14

08/19/2007

The Department of Homeland Security just published final regulations that provide guidance to employers on how to respond to "no-match" letters, which notify employers of discrepancies with employees’ Social Security numbers. If you follow those steps correctly, you’ll earn immunity from penalties if illegal workers are found at your business. How can you comply? Read on.

Chicago suburb mulls tough anti-Immigration policy

08/01/2007

Suburban Carpentersville is considering an immigration ordinance that would allow the local government to revoke the business license of any employer hiring undocumented workers …

Increased worker-Eligibility verification began July 1

08/01/2007

The first phase of the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act came online July 1, when public employers and government contractors with 500 or more employees were required to begin conducting work-eligibility checks on their employees …

Want the job? Giving your Social Security number is mandatory

08/01/2007

No doubt you’ve read recent accounts about the prevalence of identity theft and the use of Social Security numbers to obtain fraudulent credit cards and other documents. But the rise in such crimes does not excuse employees from giving their Social Security numbers to employers …

Dunkin’ Donuts sues own franchisees for hiring illegals

08/01/2007

Dunkin’ Donuts has filed suit against Anuja Inc., operator of two franchises in Somerset and Middlesex, over the hiring of illegal immigrants. The lawsuit contends the owners knowingly accepted false documents, used false Social Security numbers and paid workers in cash …

Immigration: Know Your ‘Border Guard’ Responsibilities

08/01/2007

Immigration reform was a hot topic in Washington during the first half of 2007, but Congress ultimately failed to pass legislation to tighten enforcement of decades-old laws that regulate which foreign-born workers are eligible to work in the United States. Fairly or not, look for employers and the HR functions to bear much of the enforcement responsibilities. Your best bet: Make sure you document employees’ eligibility to work by thoroughly completing and maintaining up-to-date I-9 forms …

Immigration reform: States pick up ball U.S. Senate dropped

07/17/2007

When the U.S. Senate failed to pass comprehensive immigration-reform legislation last month, the problem didn’t go away. Now states are stepping in to craft local solutions to problems related to undocumented immigrants. Employers are likely to bear the enforcement burden.

Prevent hostile-environment lawsuits: No teasing allowed

07/01/2007

Many employees today are sensitive about their ethnic backgrounds, but may hesitate to report teasing or name-calling for fear of being seen as troublemakers. That means a lawsuit could be brewing …

Georgia CEO says immigration bill doesn’t equal amnesty

07/01/2007

Some call the on-again, off-again (on, as of press time) U.S. Senate immigration-reform bill an offer of “amnesty” for millions of lawbreaking, undocumented immigrants. But Tommy Bagwell, CEO of American Proteins, Inc.—a poultry byproducts rendering plant in Cumming—says that’s hogwash …

Immigration reform bill stalls, but president vows to revive it

06/12/2007

The immigration-reform bill backed by a bipartisan groups of Senators and President Bush stalled out last week, the victim of objections from both ends of the political spectrum. But the president says he will push hard for reintroduction this summer, and many Capitol Hill watchers say the issue is just too important to ignore.