CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the health risks posed by the Corona Virus tragedy, our office is following the directives of the governor of California in order to minimize the risks to our staff, our clients and our community. Our office will continue to operate fully, as it has thus far, observing our normal schedule, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We will continue to schedule appointments to meet with clients and will do this via ZOOM or Telephone only.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with any of our lawyers or staff members, please do so by calling our office at 619-291-1112. You can also contact us via e-mail at [email protected]janbejar.com

Thank you for your understanding.

AVISO DE CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19

Debido a los riesgos para la salud planteados por la tragedia del Virus Corona, nuestra oficina está siguiendo las directivas del gobernador de California para minimizar los riesgos para nuestro personal, nuestros clientes y nuestra comunidad. Nuestra oficina seguirá funcionando a pleno, como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, cumpliendo con nuestro horario habitual, de lunes a viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m. Continuaremos programando citas para reunirnos con los clientes y lo haremos solo a través de ZOOM o por teléfono.

Si desea programar una cita con alguno de nuestros abogados o miembros del personal, hágalo llamando a nuestra oficina al 619-291-1112. También puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a [email protected]

Gracias por su comprensión.

Resolving Immigration ProblemsIn An Honest & Responsible Manner

Small business group has concerns on employment immigration

The prospect of Senate approval of an immigration bill has created more interest by some groups that have been silent thus far. One of those is the largest small business lobbying organization, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), which sent a letter to Senate leaders, raising certain ‘red flag’ issues they want considered. The new bill, if ultimately passed, will have a significant impact on employment immigration in California and nationwide.

The NFIB questioned the funding of a new Bureau of Immigration and Labor Market Research created by the bill, which would monitor worker shortages and adjust employment visa caps accordingly. The group pointed to the self-funding of the Bureau, with fees collected from businesses that hire low-skilled workers. The group objects to the Bureau’s ability to adjust fees on its own, without appropriate outside oversight, creating the possibility of spiraling fee increases. 

The NFIB has generally supported the federal government’s E-Verify program, which allows employers to check the employment visa of job applicants. The E-Verify program is mandatory under the Senate immigration bill. The group has several concerns, including the program’s fee structure, fines and who would pay for mandatory E-verify training.

The group raised concerns about new costs, bureaucracy, and regulations placed on small employers under the bill. However, the group expressed basic support for the broad changes contained in the Senate bill. A poll taken by another small business group showed support for immigration reform by most small businesses.

It’s cautioned that the immigration provision coming out of the Senate must yet be approved in the House, where changes to the Senate version may be proposed. A California small business that has a particular issue with respect to employment immigration can get answers to its questions by consulting with an immigration counsel privately and confidentially. This can help a business take informed actions with respect to the opportunities that may be opened by a final immigration bill.

Source: The Washington Post, “Small business lobbyists raise concerns as immigration bill nears approval in Senate,” J.D. Harrison, June 25, 2013

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