Letter: Putting onus on employers is unfair

Sunday, May 14, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.

Employers are really getting a bad rap recently. Why all the employer-bashing?

Letter writers have consistently attacked employers, saying: Why don't we fine the employers? Why don't we jail them for hiring all those undocumented immigrants? Why isn't the Bureau of Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (formerly INS) targeting those criminal employers? As an immigration lawyer for 25 years, let me shed a little light.

How many of all readers have completed an I-9 form? Raise your hands. Everyone who didn't raise their hands quickly, go report that your employer violated the I-9 federal reporting requirement. I don't think your employer will be too happy but, oh well, we have to catch all those illegal workers even though your office might not have a single one.

An I-9 Employment Eligibility Form is a form that must be completed by all employees, citizens and noncitizens hired after Nov. 6, 1986. The employer is responsible for ensuring that Section 1 is timely and properly completed. Documentation must be provided to verify that the person is authorized to work in the United States. This is the extent of an employer's responsibility.

Why should the employer be expected to do more? I'm not an expert in documents. Why should I, as a business owner, be required to do the government's work? As long as I comply with the I-9 requirements, leave me the hell alone. Most employers do and the hotels are the best at ensuring that the I-9s are completed.

Vicenta Montoya, Las Vegas