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EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF USCIS SITE VISITS.
Posted by: Gina Giambalvo
November 20, 2009
Topic: News Articles

At a November 19, 2009 program put on by the Department of Homeland Security, titled "2009 Government and Employers: Working Togeether to Ensure a Legal Workforce," Ronald Atkinson, Chief of Staff of USCIS' Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) office, explained the three types of site visits that are currently being conducted.  It is important for employers to be aware of the different types of site visits, and to be aware that if any site inspections occur that they should contact an immigration attorney immediately to verify compliance. 

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BEWARE STRANGERS BEARING GIFTS FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
Posted by: Gina Giambalvo
November 19, 2009
Topic: Employment Verification / I-9 News

 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary John Morton today announced the issuance of Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 1,000 employers across the country associated with critical infrastructure—alerting business owners that ICE will audit their hiring records to determine compliance with employment eligibility verification laws.

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Homeland Security Secretary Urges Congress to Move on Immigration Reform.
Posted by: Gina Giambalvo
November 18, 2009
Topic: News Articles

A recent article in the San Fransisco Gate (see link below) discusses the recognition for the need for Immigration Reform in the U.S. by none other than Janet Napolitano, the Head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We hope that this initiative will take shape in Early-2010 but any sooner would certainly be welcome.

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Don't Be Caught Off-Guard: CIS H-1B Site Visits are in Full Swing.
Posted by: Gina Giambalvo
November 15, 2009
Topic: H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa News

For the past few months, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services ("CIS") has conducted an investigation program aimed at visiting H-1B petitioner worksites throughout the U.S.  These site visits began as part of the CIS’ goal to decrease the number of H-1B violations and instances of fraud reported by the H-1B Benefit Fraud & Compliance Assessment from CIS’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (“FDNS”), published this past September.  According to the FDNS’ findings, as many as one in five H-1B applications were affected by either fraud or “technical violations” of the H-1B program. Click to read more about what this means for employers.

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Statement of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on this week?s immigration enforcement and workers rights report
Posted by: Gina Giambalvo
November 09, 2009
Topic: Employment Verification / I-9 News

WASHINGTON— U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the AFL-CIO and American Rights at Work report “ICED OUT: How Immigration Enforcement Has Interfered with Workers”Rights.”

"The Department of Labor is firmly committed to protecting the rights of all workers, and especially the rights of the most vulnerable workers in our economy.

"The violation of any one worker's rights is cause for concern to all American workers. When unscrupulous employers abuse vulnerable workers, honest employers and their workers suffer.

"I am proud that, as of Oct. 13, the Labor Department has hired 224 new wage and hour investigators to seek out employers in violation of the law wherever they may be. These investigators are working hard every single day to ensure that every worker is paid at least the minimum wage, that those who work overtime are properly compensated, that child labor laws are strictly enforced and that every worker is provided a safe and healthful environment.

 "Wage and hour laws apply to every single worker in this country, regardless of immigration status. My department is working tirelessly to protect all workers' rights."

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