In the midst of nationwide turmoil over the issue of immigration in America, several things have been overlooked. While most of the fight arises over illegal entry into the country, there are many citizens who are completely opposed to any kind of immigration. This is where the oft-discounted practice of corporate immigration becomes a larger part of the issue. On top of this, the international legal marketplace has been dealt a sharp blow by recent anti-immigration legislation on the federal government’s part.
Federal Moves
Policymakers have developed a habit of lumping business immigrants in with immigrants who undertake the move for socioeconomic advancement. The distinction lies in the fact that business or corporate immigration is brought about by firms and companies on American soil. They recruit workers from overseas, based on their skills and talents, and bring them into the country by legal avenues (i.e. work visas) on temporary or permanent bases.
The shift in attitude toward immigration, which was always strained but has deteriorated over the last few years, started with the recession and has not been able to take recovery steps since. In an attempt to improve the economic situation, officials from the agencies for U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of Labor have implemented inspections of American businesses in targeted industries that have high rates of non-immigrants working in them.
The goal of conducting these audits is, on the surface at least, to make sure that every firm observes the correct eligibility screening procedures and pay rates. While many companies have certainly cut back on foreign recruitment and reduced the number of foreign born hires coming into the country in the wake of the global financial downturn, the government has taken its methods to a higher level with much stricter checks for background and eligibility and generally higher criteria, making it increasingly difficult for companies (and the business immigration law firms that assist them) to hire workers from outside of the country.
Presidential Election
The current campaign for the White House has already become a battleground over immigration policy, one of this election’s biggest hot-button issues. Evidence of this lies in President Obama’s recent muscle-flexing in the arena, which has drawn diverse reactions across the board. While the Democratic Party has traditionally been more lenient on immigration matters, the Obama administration has developed some fairly intense measures to hinder and deport undocumented immigrants.
Whether Obama wins and serves another term in office or Mitt Romney prevails, the U.S. is sure to see some interesting changes pertaining to the issue. With the enforcement of the Secure Communities directive expected to be nationally implemented in 2013, it is clear that developments in the laws pertaining to immigration are imminent. Whether these upcoming measures are firmer or more permissive, they will undoubtedly have an effect on business immigration practices in law firms as well as in the businesses sector.
For education, guidance, and legal assistance with any issues concerning business or corporate immigration, consult Zulkie Partners.
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