Milford Health Care Company Partners with ICE IMAGE Program

Countryside Health Care of Milford has followed the town’s lead by partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program, IMAGE, or "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers."

The Town of Milford partnered with ICE in August to protect the integrity of their workforce, becoming the first municipality in New England with this distinction. Countryside Health Care of Milford took notice, and has also partnered with ICE.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Countryside Health Care of Milford to our IMAGE family," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. "When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good not only for their business, but for the community and the nation. ICE actively pursues partnership with those employers that want to comply with employment eligibility verification requirements, including local governments throughout New England. By partnering with ICE, employers receive invaluable training and the tools necessary to ensure a lawful workforce. I am hopeful that other municipalities and companies will follow the actions of Countryside and the Town of Milford."

Countryside Health Care of Milford is a non-profit, municipal, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, reliably providing care to the greater Milford elders since 1825. Countryside Health Care of Milford offers a continuum of care that addresses all long-term care and short-term rehabilitation needs. The mission of Countryside Health Care of Milford is to provide resident-focused, comprehensive and interdisciplinary health care services within a secure and caring environment. They accomplish their organizational mission in an atmosphere of progressive management, continuous quality improvement and high ethical standards.

IMAGE program

 

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006. As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides employers with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify.

IMAGE certified employers also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Employers that are certified with ICE through the IMAGE program pledge to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. ICE recently revamped IMAGE, simplifying program requirements.

E-Verify

 

All IMAGE members must participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

HSI worksite investigations

 

Effective worksite enforcement plays an important role in the fight against illegal immigration. HSI has developed a comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy that promotes national security, protects critical infrastructure and targets employers who violate employment laws or engage in abuse or exploitation of workers.

An effective worksite enforcement strategy must address both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers, as well as the workers themselves. In worksite cases, HSI investigators adhere to high investigative standards, including the following:

·                             HSI will look for evidence of the mistreatment of workers, along with evidence of trafficking, smuggling, harboring, visa fraud, identification document fraud, money laundering and other such criminal conduct; and

·                             HSI will obtain indictments, criminal arrests or search warrants, or a commitment from a U.S. attorney's office to prosecute the targeted employer before arresting employees for civil immigration violations at a worksite.

HSI also works with the private sector to educate employers about their responsibilities to hire only authorized workers and how to accurately verify employment eligibility, through such tools as the IMAGE program.

I-9 audits

 

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This form requires employers to review and record the individual's identity and employment eligibility document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual. Additionally, an employer must ensure that the employee provides certain information regarding his or her eligibility to work, on the Form I-9.

"HSI will continue to hold employers accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal workforce," added Foucart. "We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout New England each year. HSI will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers."

Employers – non-profits, companies and municipalities – in the New England area that are interested in the IMAGE program can call HSI Boston at 617-565-6286, or visit www.ICE.gov/IMAGE.

Fairytale Brownies Pledges Legal Immigration Employment Practices; Certified as ICE IMAGE Partner

A mail-order gourmet brownie business became the 17th Arizona company to join a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) program designed to strengthen hiring practices and combat the unlawful employment of illegal aliens.

Fairytale Brownies Inc., was certified as an "IMAGE" or "ICE Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers" partner during a ceremony Tuesday, October 16, 2012. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private industry to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.

"By taking the initiative to become IMAGE certified, Fairytale Brownies is setting the example for other small businesses in the state and around the country," said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. "When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good not only for their business, but for the community and the nation."

Fairytale Brownies was started in a small Scottsdale catering kitchen in 1992 and has since grown into a large mail order business with annual revenues of $10 million. The company's operations are now managed from a southeast Phoenix facility that produces as many as 60,000 brownies daily and employs 40 regular workers and a peak seasonal workforce of 150 employees.

Earlier this month, the company was named one of three recipients of the Better Business Bureau's 2012 International Torch Awards for Marketplace Excellence, which recognize U.S. and Canadian businesses that exemplify the advancement of trust in the marketplace.

"Fairytale Brownies is honored to be accepted into ICE's IMAGE program," said Kim Silva, operations team leader with Fairytale Brownies. "Our core business values are product excellence, incomparable service, integrity, teamwork and leadership in the workplace. We strongly believe in conducting business in a way that makes both our employees and customers proud. Being accepted into the IMAGE program further solidifies our commitment to this philosophy and signifies that Fairytale Brownies continues to be an industry leader among those throughout the business community."

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides private companies with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify.

IMAGE certified companies also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Arizona employers interested in learning more about IMAGE membership may call the ICE IMAGE coordinator in Phoenix at 602- 407-6155 or visit www.ICE.gov/image.

Massachusetts Town Partners with ICE IMAGE Program

The Town of Milford has set the gold standard in its hiring practices by becoming the first municipality in New England to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program, IMAGE, or "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers."

The Town of Milford, with more than 1,500 employees, has partnered with ICE to protect the integrity of their workforce, becoming the first municipality in New England with this distinction. This partnership was marked Monday evening during the Milford Board of Selectmen meeting.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Milford to our IMAGE family," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. "The newly formed partnership with ICE and the Town of Milford underscores this town's commitment to protecting the integrity of their workforce and to foster best hiring practices. ICE actively pursues partnership with those employers that want to comply with the employment eligibility verification requirements, including local governments throughout New England. By partnering with ICE, employers receive invaluable training and the tools necessary to ensure a lawful workforce. I am hopeful that other municipalities and companies will follow the actions that Milford has taken. Milford has truly won the gold medal in this endeavor."

The Town of Milford is a thriving Massachusetts community of over 27,000 residents. Milford offers many advantages to residents and visitors alike – an education system with modern facilities and excellent curriculum offerings; newly constructed and upgraded municipal buildings; playing fields and parks for active and passive recreation; a multi-use trail (Milford Upper Charles Trail); major shopping plazas; a revitalized downtown; an active cultural center; a first class regional hospital; and a wide variety of restaurants and hotels.

"Milford is certainly pleased to be a leader in the commonwealth by partnering with ICE through the IMAGE program," said Brian W. Murray, chairman of the Milford Board of Selectman. "We are optimistic that other communities as well as private businesses will follow."

IMAGE program

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006. As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides employers with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify. IMAGE certified employers also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Employers that are certified with ICE through the IMAGE program pledge to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. ICE recently revamped IMAGE, simplifying program requirements.

E-Verify

All IMAGE members must participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

HSI worksite investigations

Effective worksite enforcement plays an important role in the fight against illegal immigration. HSI has developed a comprehensive worksite enforcement strategy that promotes national security, protects critical infrastructure and targets employers who violate employment laws or engage in abuse or exploitation of workers.

An effective worksite enforcement strategy must address both employers who knowingly hire illegal workers, as well as the workers themselves. In worksite cases, HSI investigators adhere to high investigative standards, including the following:

• HSI will look for evidence of the mistreatment of workers, along with evidence of trafficking, smuggling, harboring, visa fraud, identification document fraud, money laundering and other such criminal conduct; and

• HSI will obtain indictments, criminal arrests or search warrants, or a commitment from a U.S. attorney's office to prosecute the targeted employer before arresting employees for civil immigration violations at a worksite.

HSI also works with the private sector to educate employers about their responsibilities to hire only authorized workers and how to accurately verify employment eligibility, through such tools as the IMAGE program.

I-9 audits

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This form requires employers to review and record the individual's identity and employment eligibility document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual. Additionally, an employer must ensure that the employee provides certain information regarding his or her eligibility to work, on the Form I-9.

"HSI will continue to hold employers accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal workforce," added Foucart. "We encourage employers to take the employment verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are conducting throughout New England each year. HSI will continue to focus its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers."

Employers – both companies and municipalities – in the New England area that are interested in the IMAGE program can call HSI Boston at 617-565-6286, or visit www.ICE.gov/IMAGE.

Mississippi Businesses Join ICE's IMAGE Program

Three Mississippi businesses signed agreements Monday, April 9, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to become members of the IMAGE program, short for "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers." VT Halter Marine, United States Marine, INC., and DCD Construction, INC., joined IMAGE, which provides businesses an opportunity to partner with the agency to develop a more secure and stable workforce.

The three companies are part of only a handful of companies in the state that have undergone the rigorous IMAGE certification process. As part of this process, they have completed extensive training and rigorous evaluation of their hiring processes.

At the signing ceremony on Monday, April 9, Raymond R. Parmer, Jr., special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans said, "ICE recognizes that the highest level of employment integrity can only be achieved through close coordination with industry partners. VT Halter Marine, United States Marine, INC. and DCD Construction, INC. will join IMAGE business participants around the country who are committed to protecting the integrity of their workforce by helping ensure that their employees are who they represent themselves to be."

The companies echoed similar sentiments by saying their acceptance into the IMAGE program not only solidified their positions as responsible corporate citizens, it reaffirmed their pride in the diversity of their compliant workforce. The contributions of their workforce strengthen the economy and embody the American ideal of hard work. Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in the marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits and stealing identities of legal workers. The IMAGE program provides employers with screening tools to prevent unauthorized workers from being hired.

The IMAGE program was initiated in 2006 with partners from around the United States and a wide range of industries, including: employment services, aviation, transportation, construction, high technology, shipping and manufacturing. By signing the IMAGE contract for full membership, businesses establish a formal partnership with law enforcement to follow the best hiring practices recommended by the program, train their staff to uphold the high standards required by the program and use the tools offered by the federal government to screen employees and ensure they are lawfully authorized to work.

IMAGE members work with ICE to meet the standards set by the program. In addition, they partner with ICE officials to assess their business practices and improve the way they hire, process 1-9 forms, maintain employment records and otherwise comply with U.S. laws regarding employment. The E- Verify program is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based program is available in all 50 states and is free to employers. E-verify provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

Mississippi-area employers interested in the IMAGE program may contact the local IMAGE coordinator at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.

Green Cards Through a Job

Many people become permanent residents through a job or offer of employment. Some categories require a certification from the U.S. Department of Labor to show that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available in the geographic area where the immigrant is to be employed and that no American workers are displaced by foreign workers. In other cases, highly skilled workers, those with extraordinary ability in certain professions, and investors/entrepreneurs are given priority to immigrate through several immigrant categories. In all cases, the process involves several steps.

The main ways to immigrate based on a job offer or employment are listed below.

Green Card Through a Job Offer
You may be eligible to become a permanent resident based on an offer of permanent employment in the United States. Most categories require an employer to get a labor certification and then file a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, for you.

Green Card Through Investment
Green cards may be available to investors/entrepreneurs who are making an investment in an enterprise that creates new U.S. jobs.

Green Card Through Self Petition
Some immigrant categories allow you to file for yourself (“self-petition”). This option is available for either “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” or certain individuals granted a National Interest Waiver.

Green Card Through Special Categories of Jobs
There are a number of specialized jobs that may allow you to get a green card based on a past or current job. All of these require a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and are described in Section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA):

               Afghan/Iraqi Translator

               Broadcaster

               International Organization Employee

               Iraqi Who Assisted the U.S. Government

               NATO-6 Nonimmigrant

               Panama Canal Employee

               Physician National Interest Waiver

               Religious Worker

In some cases, you may be able to file the immigrant petition (either a Form I-140 or I-360, depending on your category) at the same time that you file Form I-485, known as “concurrent filing.”

If you are not eligible to adjust your status inside the United States to a permanent resident, the immigrant petition will be sent to the U.S. consulate abroad to complete the visa process. In order to apply for a green card, there must be a visa immediately available to you.

USCIS Announces "Entrepreneurs in Residence" Initiative

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas joined the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness in Pittsburgh to announce “Entrepreneurs in Residence.” This new innovative initiative will utilize industry expertise to strengthen USCIS policies and practices surrounding immigrant investors, entrepreneurs and workers with specialized skills, knowledge, or abilities. Mayorkas announced the initiative at the Jobs Council’s High Growth Entrepreneurship Listening and Action Session at AlphaLab in Pittsburgh before the Council’s quarterly meeting with President Obama.

“This initiative creates additional opportunities for USCIS to gain insights in areas critical to economic growth,” said Director Mayorkas. “The introduction of expert views from the private and public sector will help us to ensure that our policies and processes fully realize the immigration law’s potential to create and protect American jobs.”

USCIS will launch the “Entrepreneurs in Residence” initiative with a series of informational summits with industry leaders to gather high-level strategic input. Informed by the summits, the agency will stand up a tactical team comprised of entrepreneurs and experts, working with USCIS personnel, to design and implement effective solutions. This initiative will strengthen USCIS’s collaboration with industries, at the policy, training, and officer level, while complying with all current Federal statutes and regulations.

The initiative builds upon USCIS’s August announcement of efforts to promote startup enterprises and spur job creation, including enhancements to the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. Since August, USCIS is:

·         Conducting a review of the EB-5 process

·         Working with business analysts to enhance the EB-5 adjudication process

·         Implementing direct access for EB-5 Regional Center applicants to reach adjudicators quickly; and

·         Launching new specialized training modules for USCIS officers on the EB-2 visa classification and L-1B nonimmigrant intra-company transferees.