Immigration for Employers Workshop

US immigration laws are increasingly important as companies try to compete in an ever-changing market. In a nutshell it is against the law for a foreign national to enter the US to work unless that individual has obtained a valid visa. Southeastern Washington attracts a great deal of undocumented workers, mostly due to the agricultural nature of the work in the region. It is estimated (conservatively) that over 50% of all agricultural workers in this region are undocumented. Likewise, it is against the law for an employer (1) to hire a person, who has not actually received an appropriate VISA, or (2) to hire or continue to employ a person who’s authorized sat to work has expired. Compliance with these basic rules can be tricky and requires strict adherence to certain record-keeping practices. This workshop will conduct the following presentations:

• How Employers Can Hire Foreign Nationals for Short Employment and Other Sponsorship - US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): How do employers hire a foreign national for short-term employment; sponsor an employee for permanent resident status and how do they use E-Verify.
• Know Your Workforce: The Key to Immigration Compliance (I-9 Verification) and IMAGE Employer Certification Information - US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Through the Form I-9 verification process, employers ensure that employees process proper authorization to work in the US and that hiring practices do no unlawfully discriminate based on immigration status
• Employer Liabilities Once a Non-Documented Individual Is In Your Employee - Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho: Review current immigration laws and possible consequences employer may face when they are charged with possible immigration law violations.
• Discussion and Update On H2A and H2B Programs Washington State Employment Security (Worksource) - The H2A & H2B temporary agricultural program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers in the US to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.
As a regional employer compliance and knowledge of immigration laws is crucial.