Are You a Pro-Immigration Employer? The New York Times Says You Are Not Alone

The New York Times recently published an article called, “Employers Fight Tough Measures on Immigration” by Julia Preston.

The article explains the immigration compliance dilemma faced by large and small employers around the U.S. Namely:

1. How to comply with laws that prohibit employment of unauthorized workers while at the same time complying with laws that prohibit discrimination against workers (anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from requesting specific documents to verifying a worker’s legal status)?

2. How to deal with experienced, long-time employees when an employer learns that the worker may not be authorized to work? These workers know the job, are willing to work and would be difficult to replace.

3. How to find new workers who are willing and available to do certain jobs even at competitive wages? Many employers have found that the nature of a particular job or tight local employment levels make some jobs nearly impossible to fill.

The article cites a number of efforts that employers are making at the state level to combat the rise in immigration enforcement laws by state governments (which may turn out to be unconstitutional).

It also mentions a new pro-immigration federation called, ImmigrationWorks USA . Its website is: www.immigrationworksusa.org.

This is a new national organization advancing immigration reform that works for all Americans – employers, workers and citizens. Its twin goals: to educate the public about the benefits of immigration and build a mainstream grassroots constituency in favor of an overhaul.

To read the New York Times article in full, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/us/06employer.html?oref=login#

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Written by Chris Jaensch

Attorney P. Christopher Jaensch received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1992 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1995 from the University of Florida. While at UF, he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa Society and Florida Blue Key, the oldest and most prestigious leadership honorary in the state of Florida.

Mr. Jaensch is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Sarasota Bar Association. He has served as President of the Sarasota-Manatee International Trade Club and served as Regional Vice Chair, Tampa Bay, for the Central Florida Chapter of AILA. He was a member of City of Sarasota Charter Review Committee and has been active in several local organizations, including the influential Laurel Park Neighborhood Association in downtown Sarasota.

Mr. Jaensch has over 18 years of experience in the field of immigration and nationality law and focuses his practice on four primary categories (a) investors and entrepreneurs, (b) business executives, managers and professionals, (c) amateur and professional athletes and coaches and (d) performing artists and immigrants with extraordinary ability.