Law360 recently reported that The Department of Justice is proposing a new rule that would implement changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act, including how certain terms would be defined in regards to the so-called “unfair, immigration-related employment practices” based on the employee’s immigration status or nation of origin.
The rule places unfair, immigration-related employment practices into three categories: “(1) discrimination with respect to hiring, recruiting or referring for a fee, or discharging an individual; (2) intimidation or retaliation; and (3) unfair documentary practices.”
Under the proposed rule, the definition of “hiring” and “recruiting or referring for a fee would be expanded to include the employer’s conduct during the interview, recruitment and referral fee collection process — not just during the hiring process — and how it can be construed as an unfair immigration-related practice. The term “unfair documentary changes” would replace “documentation abuses” and the scope of the term would benefit the immigrant employee, in that they would not have to prove injury if they were asked by the employer to produce more documentation than was necessary in order to be hired.
In addition, the rule would allow the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices to change its name to the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section. The OSC is responsible for investigation of these workplace discrimination matters.
If you believe you have faced discrimination or harassment by your employer or have been wrongfully terminated because of your immigration status or country of origin, contact an experienced New York employment law attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected. Call Steven Mitchell Sack at (917) 371-8000 or email him at sms@StevenSack.com.
