Immigration Executive Order brings changes for employers

stated intentions to reduce illegal immigration along the U.S. border, and streamline the legalization process so that long-time resident immigrants will be able to obtain documentation that would allow them to work legally in the United States. The goal of the Order is to “make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy.” Because of the potentially changing statuses of immigrants that have lived in the U.S. for a long period of time, employers should be aware of the ways in which their businesses could be affected by the Executive Order. There will be an increase in people available to work in the job force. Under the Executive Order, as many as 5 million undocumented immigrants will be able to receive work authorization, so long as the person emigrated to the United States before the age of 16, or is the parent of a U.S. citizen. There will be updates to the visa process. The means of streamlining the work visa process has not been finalized yet, and the governing agencies are still determining whether every member of immigrant families must have their own work visa, or if a single visa should cover an entire nuclear family. Those who have not been able to receive a visa number to date will have the option of receiving authorization for travel or employment with an I-140 petition. There will be more options for practical training. Workers in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) will have expanded access to training programs that can help them improve their skills and potentially lead to improved job options and/or higher positions within their current workplace. Under previous immigration law, this training was only available to those who had college degrees in those fields, and they were only allowed to access this training for a limited time after graduation. Keep an eye out for changes to the immigration system over the next few months as Obama and Congress continue to look for ways to improve our current system.]]>