Skilled Immigration Lawyer for Employers
Foreign workers are often eager to apply for many types of jobs in the U.S. economy, and when they have legal permission to work here, they can play a strong role in their employers’ companies. However, hiring illegal workers can create significant civil and criminal liability for employers.
At the immigration law firm of Yeager & Etkind, we help employers comply with immigration laws that apply to hiring foreign workers. Contact us at 202-828-0750 or 301-340-2111 to consult an experienced immigration attorney. With offices in Rockville, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., we advise and represent employers throughout the region.
Helping Businesses Comply with Immigration Regulations
All employers in the United States are required by law to obtain, from all of their employees, evidence of either their U.S. citizenship or their right to work in the country under federal immigration laws. This evidence is obtained through the use of the I-9 form and the documentation that is submitted with that form.
If a prospective employee does not give you the required documents — or if you receive a “no match” letter from the Social Security Administration and cannot then obtain proper documentation — you may not employ or continue to employ that person.
Employers who violate these laws can suffer civil sanctions in lawsuits filed by the government, and under new regulations, they can also be subjected to criminal fines and imprisonment for knowingly hiring illegal foreign workers. Calling your employees “contractors” does not change any of this if they meet the legal definition of employees.
While hiring undocumented immigrants is illegal, it is also illegal to discriminate against legal workers. The laws are complex, and our firm advises employers on their legal responsibilities when hiring foreign workers, as well as defending them in immigration-related proceedings.
Providing Employers with a Full Range of Immigration Services
In some cases, employers wish to sponsor prospective employees for temporary work visas and employment-based green cards. We guide employers through the required procedures for sponsorship of immigrant and non-immigrant workers, including the foreign labor certification (PERM) process.
Our firm assists employers with all immigration issues they may encounter when hiring foreign workers. Contact us to discuss your goals with an experienced immigration lawyer.