DOJ Increases Penalties for Immigration Violations

United States, 9^th August: DOJ increases penalties for immigration violations in a latest US immigration update.

Yes, that’s true.

DOJ increases penalties for immigration violations—DOJ(Department of Justice) increases penalties for immigration violations. Yes, this has been announced recently. As per the details, this has been effective from 1^st August, 2016. That’s right.

DOJ increases penalties for immigration violations, says the US. Among the violations include employee documentation violations, unlawful employment of foreigners and some other employment-related discrimination.

<blockquote> DOJ has increased penalties for US immigration violations from 1^st August, 2016. </blockquote>

These regulations have been introduced due to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. These new US immigration rules for immigration violations are meant for those taking place after 2^nd November, 2015.

• Unlawful employment of foreigners—Unlawful employment of foreigners is allowed in the US. Minimum penalty for this has gone up to $539 from $375 per violation. The maximum penalty is now $4313 from the earlier $3200 for each violation. Meanwhile, it needs to be notable that a new maximum penalty of $21, 563 is for employers with multiple violations.
• Employee documentation violations—employee documentation violations could be not properly completing Form I-9 and reviewing necessary documents for verification of employment authorization and identity of candidates. Maximum penalty now is $2,156 from $1,000 for each worker.
• Unfair immigration related employment practices—minimum penalty for this has gone up from $375 to $445. Maximum penalty is now $3,563 for each claim from the earlier $3,200(for first violation). As per the US law, discrimination on the basis of citizenship status(and origin of worker by any employer during recruitment/hiring/firing or referral for any fee) is prohibited.
• How can employers ensure compliance—employers must review their compliance with relevant US immigration rules. They need to pay attention to their current I-9 procedures and review and assess their hiring practices.
• Employers must know the implications of unlawful employment. They must perform necessary checks before hiring employees. This is to make sure that such foreigners are allowed to work in the US legally.
• They must develop best practices for avoiding discrimination against foreigners.