Houston-based company admits to hiring illegal aliens and agrees to forfeit $2 million

Houston-based company has agreed to adhere to revised immigration compliance procedures and to pay $2 million as forfeited funds to the Department of Homeland Security related to revenue derived from the employment of illegal aliens. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas, along with Robert Rutt, special agent in […]

Washington based herb grower fined $1 million for knowingly employing illegal aliens

A Washington-based supplier of fresh organic herbs to nearly 2,700 grocers was sentenced Tuesday to $1 million in criminal fines and probation for hiring illegal aliens in a case spurred by a tip to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In a plea agreement, the organization and three top executives admitted […]

Social Networking Online Protection Act (SNOPA) Introduced

Congressman Eliot Engel and Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced a legislation to protect users of social networking sites from having to divulge personal information to employers, schools and universities. The legislation protects people already employed or enrolled, and those seeking employment or admittance, or those facing disciplinary action. The bill called Social Networking Online Protection Act […]

Justice Department Settles Document Abuse Claim against a School in Ohio

The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with a school in Ohio resolving allegations that the company discriminated under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, when it fired an employee at division in Ohio, in connection with a “reverification” of his employment eligibility. In a complaint filed with the […]

EEOC Issues Guidelines for Criminal Checks in Background Screening

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued new guidelines for employers on the use of criminal background checks when hiring new employees.  “The new guidance clarifies and updates the EEOC’s longstanding policy concerning the use of arrest and conviction records in employment, which will assist job seekers, employees, employers, and many other agency stakeholders,” said […]

Colorado-based Restaurant Fined for Missing I-9

Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer recently upheld fine that was imposed on a Colorado based restaurant for failing to prepare or present a Form I-9 upon request.  The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE or the government) filed a one count complaint against the firm for incomplete or missing I-9s. […]

4 Arrested for Employing Illegal Aliens in Mississippi

The owner and three managers of three local restaurants are facing federal charges related to the conspiracy to knowingly employ illegal aliens and to harbor them from authorities following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Federal special agents arrested the owner and three managers via criminal complaint and […]

Justice Department Settles Document Abuse Claim against Department Store in California

The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with a California based store, resolving allegations that the company had engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on citizenship status while verifying employment eligibility.  The department also alleged that the store discriminated against a work-authorized individual when it refused to honor a […]

Workers from El Salvador With TPS Can Continue Working Beyond March 9,2012

The Justice Department announced today the launch of an educational video reminding employers that Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may continue working beyond the March 9, 2012, expiration date of their Employment Authorization Documents. This announcement by the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) informs employers that they can continue […]