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Elise A. Fialkowski Kate Kalmykov Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Philadelphia New York 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 17 th Floor317 Madison Ave., Suite.

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Presentation on theme: "Elise A. Fialkowski Kate Kalmykov Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Philadelphia New York 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 17 th Floor317 Madison Ave., Suite."— Presentation transcript:

1 Elise A. Fialkowski Kate Kalmykov Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Philadelphia New York 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 17 th Floor317 Madison Ave., Suite 1518 Philadelphia, PA 19103 New York, NY 10017 215.825.8600 212.796.8840 www.klaskolaw.com Increased Immigration & Worksite Enforcement: Increased Immigration & Worksite Enforcement: Strategies and Solutions to Weather the Perfect Storm

2 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Elise A. Fialkowski, Esq. Elise Fialkowski is a Partner at Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP and she has been providing immigration assistance and solutions to leading universities, research institutions, multinational corporations and individuals for over 15 years. Elise leads the firm’s worksite compliance group. Elise has particular expertise in advising employers with regard to worksite compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act including I-9 Employment Eligibility verification, E-Verify and worksite enforcement issues. An active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Elise has served on AILA’s E-Verify Liaison Committee and she is on the Executive Committee of its Philadelphia Chapter as well as the Philadelphia USCIS Liaison Committee. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, (B.A.1987), Elise received her law degree from the Villanova University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1991).

3 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Kate Kalmykov, an Associate in the Firm's New York City office, focuses her practice on business immigration. Kate regularly works with corporate clients, hospitals and universities on providing creative immigration solutions to visa and work authorization needs of foreign nationals including skilled workers, persons of extraordinary ability, managers and executives, professionals, treaty investors and traders, as well as corporate trainees. Kate received her J.D. from the American University and is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. A member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Kate chairs the New York CLE Committee and serves as Secretary of New York District Office Liaison Committee.

4 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Overview Increased I-9 Enforcement and Penalties Criminal Enforcement and ICE E-Verify and Data Mining Information Sharing Agreements-USCIS, ICE and OSC OSC Discrimination Claims Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) Investigations Practical Strategies and Best Practices to Protect your Company NOW

5 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement Background–Form I-9  Immigration Reform and Control Act (“IRCA”) requires employers to verify identity and employment eligibility of employees hired after 11/6/86  Section 1-Employee Information and Verification- must be completed by the employee at the “time of hire” –1 st day of work Personal information Attestation as to status

6 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement Background–Form I-9, cont’d  Section 2-Employer Review and Verification- must be completed by the employer within “3 business days of date employment begins”  Review Original documents that show identity and employment eligibility List of Acceptable Documents – one document from List A or one document from List B and one from List C Do NOT accept more than is required or request specific documents Record title, issuing date, authority, doc. no., expiration Documents must appear to (1) be reasonably genuine and (2) relate to the individual presenting them –Attestation

7 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement Background–Form I-9, cont’d  Section 3 – Updating and Verification (or new Form I-9)  For time-limited work authorization  Reverify on or before expiration of work authorization – documentation of continued work authorization  Can NOT ask for a specific document  Establish “tickler” system – at least 120 days notice  Do NOT reverify an expired US passport or Permanent Resident card

8 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement New ICE Worksite Compliance Strategy  Raid v. audit/investigation - NOI  Focus on Employers  Pledge to continue active criminal prosecution of employers  Pledge to issue detailed investigation protocols  Support E-Verify/system improvements

9 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement ICE Implements Strategy – Since 1/2009  More than 3200 employers audited  Over $50 million fines  Average employer fine $110,000  180 business owners, managers, supervisors criminally charged  225 companies debarred from federal contracts (cont’d)

10 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased I-9 Enforcement Calculation of penalties-12/09 Fine Guidance Issued  Penalty knowing hire/employ: $375-$16,000 per employee  Penalty substantive/technical violations: $110 to $1,100 per violation  “Violation percentage” and base fine amount  Enhancement/Mitigation Factors Example  Abercrombie > $1 million fine 09/10 (cont’d)

11 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased OSC Enforcement Non-Discrimination in I-9 Process OSC-Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices created w/IRCA Enforces citizenship/immigration status discrimination, national origin discrimination, document abuse and retaliation Civil penalties:  Citizenship/national origin discrimination $374-16,000  Document abuse -$110-$1,100  Back-pay & injunctive relief

12 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Increased OSC Enforcement Non-Discrimination in I-9 Process Recent increased enforcement  Catholic Healthcare West – 11/10 largest ever civil penalty >$257,000  John Jay College- OSC sought $1100 per employee (settled 2010)  Hoover Vacuum 2010 settlement-$10,200 (expired green card)  Garland Sales, Inc.-7/8/10 suit alleges different and greater reqs- non-US Citizens/retaliation  Maricopa Community College-8/30/10 suit alleges college imposed greater requirements on at least 247 non-US citizens  Other actions – broad range businesses-landscaping, pool, beauty (cont’d)

13 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Avoiding Discrimination Claims Immigration law (IRCA) prohibits discrimination in hiring and discharging based on national origin or citizenship status Do Not use the I-9 process to pre-screen for hiring Only I-9 after written offer or on first day DO show the full list of acceptable documents Do NOT request specific documents Do NOT require more/different documentation for non- citizens/those appearing foreign Do NOT require more than 1 List A or List B &C combination

14 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Simple One Page Form?

15 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Audited I-9

16 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP ICE – I-9 Best Practices Written I-9 policy Internal compliance & training program Require I-9 process only by those trained Secondary review for each I-9 Annual I-9 audits by external auditing firm or trained person not involved in I-9 process Protocol to respond to tips/information/constructive knowledge Polices/procedures safeguard against discrimination incl. training Maintain copies of documents (E-Verify/SSNVS)

17 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Electronic I-9 Program Many providers Abercrombie & Fitch Do NOT have to use E-Verify but many provide link should desire USCIS reports they are developing their own Electronic I-9

18 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Electronic I-9 Program Benefits vary depending upon provider and functionality of program  Time-saving: data does not have to be reentered for E-Verify  Alerts as to missing fields, inconsistent information and dates  Tickler system for reverification  Links to HR system  Tools to easily purge I-9s consistent with retention requirements  Paperless “green option” — electronic signature, electronic retention and scanning (cont’d)

19 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Electronic I-9 Program  Help features/pop-ups to assist with process/explain documents  Reminder emails to designated HR staff  Customization-configured to company’s business processes  Immediate updates with changes in Forms/policy  Support for program/E-Verify (cont’d)

20 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance Issues The Basics  Electronic employment eligibility verification system  Checks I-9 information against SSA and DHS databases  Voluntary unless required by state law or federal contractor rule E-Verify required by State law  All employers: AZ, MS, UT, SC*  Contractors: CO, GA, MN, MS, MO, NB, OK, RI, SC, UT  Public employers: AZ, GA, MN, MS, MO, NB, NC, OK, RI, SC, UT, VA

21 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance-Is Enrollment Required? Federal Contractor Rule- “contractors” and “subcontractors” required to enroll  Contractors Contract must be issued after 9/8/09 or amended IDIQ contract Must be Acquisition Contract subject to FAR w/performance longer than 120 days and value above $100,000 Contract must include “E-Verify clause”  Subcontractors Subcontract must flow from prime contract with E-Verify clause Only for subcontracts for Services or Construction w/value over $3,000 (cont’d)

22 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance Federal Contractor Rule General rule  Requires E-Verify query of: All new hires, and All existing employees assigned to the contract, or 180 day option for all existing employees Exemptions university  May opt to only verify: New hires assigned to contract, and Existing employees assigned to contract (cont’d)

23 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance Main Employer Responsibilities – MOU  Post notices  Agree to visits by ICE and/or designees  Attach results to Form I-9 and retain for same time as form  Rebuttable presumption of compliance if confirmation is obtained  Notify DHS if continues to employ following non-confirmation (civil penalties $550-$1,100 for failure to notify)  If continued employment after Final Non-Confirmation a rebuttable presumption of violation of INA § 274A(a)(1)(A) is created  Can only leave with 30 days notice (cont’d)

24 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

25 E-Verify Compliance General Guidelines Not a substitute for I-9 compliance Does not provide protection against worksite enforcement Cannot be used to pre-screen Can only be used to verify eligibility of newly hired employees unless federal contractor Queries must be conducted within 3 days after hire List B documents must have a photo Must copy green card, EAD and passport

26 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Verification of Eligibility What you need:  Information from Section 1 and 2 from the Form I-9  Identification document provided from List “B” must contain a photograph Results  Confirmation  Tentative Non-Confirmation  Final Non-Confirmation

27 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Advantages of Using E-Verify Rebuttable presumption of compliance if confirmation is obtained  Swift Meatpacking case – no corporate fines for 1,000+ unauthorized workers Allows employer to query system re validity of documentation Saves time/training by identifying unauthorized workers prior to no-match 17 month STEM extension

28 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance Disadvantages of Using E-Verify Problems with underlying databases Limited to new hires (except federal contractors) No formal appeals process for non-confirmations Additional HR and company time for process in addition to I-9 Access to I-9s and related records (cont’d)

29 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP E-Verify Compliance Data Mining & Data Sharing Memorandum of Agreement- MOA  12/08 USCIS MOA with ICE  3/10 USCIS MOA with Office of Special Counsel (OSC) Data mining/audits  Compliance Tracking & Monitoring System, staff  Examples: completion w/i time-line, terminate TNC, failure notify FNC, selective use, fraudulent use, etc.  Referral to ICE and OSC (cont’d)

30 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Practical I-9 and E-Verify Compliance Considerations Audit of older I-9s I-9 issues with existing employees under Federal Contractor Rule / choosing among the options Tracking employees who are on a contract Who conducts queries/handles non-confirmations I-9 and E-Verify policies Training plan—including non-discrimination training Electronic I-9 program

31 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B LCA Audits Increased DOL enforcement – Wage and Hour division Civil fines, back pay and debarment Criminal enforcement

32 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site Visits Background Visits (generally unannounced) to employers who have filed or have approved H-1Bs or other petitions USCIS announced at least 20,000 this year Conducted by Fraud Detection and National Security Unit (FDNS) officers or contractors hired by FDNS

33 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site Visit The Mechanics Unannounced, scripted interview Will ask to see signatory Verify information in H-1B petition from employer  Business operations, locations, employees  Information about H-1B employee including title, job duties, credentials, salary work location

34 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site Visit The Mechanics Photograph facility Tour facility, department or workplace May request paystubs/W-2s, financials or job description, resumes, etc. (cont’d)

35 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site Visit The Mechanics Generally will ask to see employee  Verify position, title, duties, salary, location and requirements  Whether employee paid/reimbursed any money related to H-1B  Photo ID May ask to see supervisor or other employees (cont’d)

36 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site Visit What do we do if we are visited by an Investigator? Appoint a trained, designed company representative and backup Request identification Lead to a conference room or neutral space

37 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Respond to questions – don’t guess Detailed written notes Immigration/in-house (cont’d) H-1B Site Visit What do we do if we are visited by an Investigator?

38 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site How do we prepare? Inform staff of USCIS visits Appoint a trained, designated company representative with appropriate back-up Maintain immigration documents in central location

39 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Site How do we prepare? Have immigration counsel’s contact information handy in case problems arise Educate all H-1B employees about the possibility that they will have to meet with FDNS investors Conduct periodic internal audits of H-1Bs Regularly train personnel on H-1B regulations and requirements (cont’d)

40 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Links The Form I-9: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf The M-274 Handbook for Employers: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/m-274.pdf

41 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

42 For further information or to request a on-site presentation, please contact: Visit us online: www.klaskolaw.com www.worksite-compliance.com http://blog.klaskolaw.com Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Tele: 212.796.8856 Fax: 212.297.1799 E-mail: kkalmykov@klaskolaw.com Elise A. Fialkowski, Esq. Tele: 215.825.8647 Fax: 215.825.8699 E-mail: efialkowski@klaskolaw.com


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