California Immigration Attorney Blog

Contrary to what some Americans believe, immigrants - legal or otherwise - do not take jobs from US-born workers. In fact, evidence suggests an immigrant workforce boosts income and productivity while stimulating investment, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco reports.

Santa Ana immigration lawyers at HOWARD | NASSIRI understand the needs of those hoping to live and work in the U.S. and are dedicated to helping workers here and abroad apply for immigrant and non-immigrant visas, naturalization and citizenship.

Economists and market-watcher agree that natural language barriers some immigrants face do create and environmental push that channels American workers into better-paying, more skilled, "communication-intensive" jobs. On the other hand, for those seeking low-skilled positions, some economists say immigrant workers may capture those jobs while further depressing wages in an already low-paying sector.

But the real gorilla in the room is a weak labor market that continues to fuel both unemployment and worries. Jobless Americans are frightened Americans. And, having at least a sense of job security means more than relief from financial woes. It eases otherwise potentially crippling tension and allows citizens to embrace more open-minded notions regarding the opportunities America promises to people of all cultures.

"The painfully slow recovery in the labor market has restrained growth in labor income, raised uncertainty about job security and prospects, and damped confidence," Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said at a recent conference.

Until the economy is better positioned to offer Americans more security and more - better-paying - jobs, the overall long-term benefits of an immigrant workforce, as with comprehensive immigration reform, will remain a hard sell.

Continue reading "California study finds that immigrants in the workforce do not diminish employability for American workers" »

Temecula city council officials unanimously passed an ordinance this week requiring all local businesses to use the E-verify system to confirm eligibility for employment in the United States.

The Southwest Riverside News Network reported the vote came as more than 100 protesters gathered outside City Hall. Most of the protesters were anti-immigration advocates who identified themselves as members of the Tea Party movement.

Under the new ordinance, a business that fails to comply could risk having his or her license revoked. However, business owners should understand the risk of using the system, which could include employment discrimination lawsuits. Our Temecula business defense lawyers offer confidential appointments to any business owner threatened by the city under this new ordinance.

Our California Immigration Attorney Blog has continued to report problems with the E-Verify system. One recent case in Chicago involved a 25-year UPS employee. Despite being a U.S. citizen who had worked for the company for more than two decades, she was flagged as a possible illegal due to a name change resulting from marriage. She was forced to prove her identity or risk losing her job.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports the system is wrong in 4 percent of all cases and is so unreliable the federal government is searching for alternatives. Our Temecula immigration lawyers encourage employees who are harassed as a result of E-verify results to contact our office for a consultation to discuss your rights.