South Carolina Immigration Lawyer & Attorney : Carlock, Copeland, Semler & Stair : Serving Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Myrtle Beach

For most employers, finding and recruiting competent, trust-worthy employees is a challenge.  Having found such an employee, many employers overlook the fact that they must maintain their vigilance throughout the I-9 proceedings as well - or risk serious civil and criminal penalties handed out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  All too often, employers who don't want to give up their hard-won, reliable staff attempt to "fudge" I-9 compliance issues.  Considering that in the not too distant past employers were allowed to focus on running their business without functioning as Junior Immigration Officers, this attitude is not unreasonable.  However, as ICE continues to increase both its sting operations and its raid operation, all employers must face the facts - is keeping a key staffer worth paying a huge fine?  Is it worth going to jail?

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Given the many questions I've received regarding the effect of the Dorchester County Business LIcensing Ordinance, I've decided to post the interpretation of the legislation assembled by myself and Amanda Newell for our presentation to the Dorchester - Summerville Chamber of Commerce.  The Ordinance, which is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2007 (assuming funding is available and barring any federal injunctions), will require compliance by both new business license applicants as well as current business licensees. 

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Earlier today the group of bi-partisan senators who have been working for weeks behind closed-doors to reach an immigration compromise announced that they have come to an accord.  The proposed immigration system would effect all aspects of immigration law and provide the much anticipated 'path to citizenship' for undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. The plan's provisions have been outlined as follows:

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President Bush's latest trip to Mexico for a meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon has provided hope to both immigration attorneys and their clients in the low country.  According to news reports of the visit, President Bush has promised Calderon that he will continue to push immigration reform in the U.S. and believes we will see new immigration legislation as soon as August of this year. 

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A new bipartisan compromise on farm-worker immigration policy is currently under consideration by the House and Senate.  The Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act of 2007, S.237 and H.R. 371 (nicknamed "AgJOBS") would provide a two-step program allowing undocumented farm-workers who can prove that they've been working in agriculture for at least 863 hours or 150 days in the U.S. during the 24-month period ending on December 31, 2006.  Such a program could dramatically relieve the stress currently on South Carolina farmers trying to stay legal AND remain economically viable.

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The J-1 visa is an exchange-visitor visa for persons coming to the U.S. as a student, scholar, trainee, teacher, professor, research assistant, or medical graduate to participate in a training, research or study program approved by the Department of State.  Given that there are no limits on the number of J visas issued annually AND the fact that, unlike an H2-B visa, you're not tied down to a rigid time frame, the J visa is generally a win-win for both applicants and sponsors.  However, before applying for a J visa there are important considerations of which potential applicants and sponsors should be aware.

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