As many of you have read, immigration agents recently raided nearly 100 7-Eleven Stores with the intent to “send a strong message to U.S. businesses that hire and employ an illegal work force … [that they] will be held accountable.” In other words, immigration inspections and raids are on the rise targeting both large and small businesses. In addition, President Trump recently terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti effective July 22, 2019, Nicaragua effective January 5, 2019, Honduras as of July 5, 2018, and El Salvador on September 9, 2019. This will result in many workers from these countries that are legally employed to suddenly losing their legal immigration status, exposing those that employ them to fines and other liabilities.
Are you aware of your obligations to verify an employee is legally in the United States and authorized to work here? Are you and your employees ready to deal with immigration raid or audit? Do you know your obligation if work authorizations are terminated for workers from Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, many who have been legally in the United States and worked for you for many years?
These questions and many other questions on immigration issues will all be addressed at The International Surfaces Show (TISE) in Las Vegas. A session entitled “TU11 Immigration Reform Are You Ready?” will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 3:45pm - 5:15pm. Come join us for a lively discussion of the issues. For additional guidance on what a flooring dealer or contractor should do if immigration officers come knocking see the article entitled Immigration Enforcement: Are You Ready if You Are Raided or Audited? in WFCA’s Premier Flooring Retailer (April 2017).
Notice: The information contained in this article is abridged from legislation, court decisions, and administrative rulings and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel.
