New York City Commission on Human Rights

The Commission, along with its partner The New York Immigration Coalition, cohosted a forum on Avoiding Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination at the Brooklyn Public Business Library in December 2007. The event – geared specifically for employers and business representatives – was part of a larger ongoing collaborative effort by the City to educate immigrant workers, employers, and advocacy groups throughout the five boroughs regarding the protections and obligations they have under the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) and the New York City Human Rights Law.

Keynote speaker Robin M. Stutman, Esq. – Special Litigation Counsel in the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices, Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice – discussed anti-discrimination provisions contained in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and employer sanctions of IRCA, and provided the latest information about: avoiding immigrationrelated employment discrimination; as well as complying with INA hiring regulations; INA I-9 requirements; understanding how the new E-Verify of employment eligibility will work; what to do with Social Security no match letters, ‘Safe Harbor’ regulations, and wage and hour issues.

The Commission’s Immigrant Employment Rights Program provides workshops, informal discussions, literature, and multilingual presentations regarding discrimination in employment based on national origin, citizenship status or alienage. Funding assistance for the program is provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices.