John Jay College Accused of Bias Against Noncitizens (demanding proof of work eligibility)

New York Times ^ | April 16, 2010 | Nina Bernstein

[reaganaut1]

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Friday against John Jay College of Criminal Justice, alleging that the school engaged in a pattern of job discrimination against noncitizens who were authorized to work.

The lawsuit, considered the department’s first in years to crack down on immigration-related discrimination against noncitizens, says the college violated provisions of immigration law by demanding extra work authorization from at least 103 individuals since 2007, rather than accepting the work-eligibility documents required of citizens, like a Social Security card and a driver’s license.

The suit seeks civil penalties of $1,100 for each individual and unspecified measures to overcome the effects of discrimination. It also seeks compensation for each person affected, including the woman who set off the investigation when she complained in 2008 to the Justice Department’s Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices. She called the special counsel after she was fired from her job as a part-time computer lab assistant at the college, which is part of the City University of New York.

Christine Godek, a spokeswoman for the college, said John Jay had agreed “in principle” with the Justice Department to settle the case and fully compensate the woman who complained.

“We will be instituting a comprehensive training program to prevent any recurrence,” she said. “We reaffirm our commitment to providing employment opportunities to immigrants who are authorized to work in this country.”

While the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for policing employers who hire unauthorized workers, the Justice Department is committed to enforcing provisions of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibit employers from imposing different employment eligibility verification standards on noncitizens than on citizens, said Alejandro Miyar, a spokesman for the department.

[reaganaut1]

So the government is suing employers for making good-faith efforts to verify that people are authorized to work?

[wiggen]

Thats exactly what they’re doing. Lets be sure becomes you have to accept phony docs and if they’re caught with phony docs,you’re to blame.
Catch-22

[Notasoccermom]

It’s not about legality but about another venue for redistributing wealth to their contributors.

[Repeat Offender]

"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed?" said Dr. Ferris. "We want them broken. You'd better get it straight That it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against– then you'll know that this is not the age for beautiful gestures. We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick, and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system, Mr. Rearden, that's the game, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."

Aynd Rand Atlas Shrugged

[SatinDoll]

Our government definitely needs an overhaul. One governmental department is stepping on the other.

[BuffaloJack]

This has nothing to do with law. This a bureaucrat’s turf war and John Jay College is the pawn. Let the beatings continue until morale improves.

[Altura Ct.]

Is there an advantage to being a citizen?

[Bryanw92]

I wish History Channel would stop wasting my time on their almost-weekly “Prophecies of Nostradamus” documentaries, and make one on the “Prophecies of Ayn Rand”.

[thefactor]

I took some grad school courses at john jay a few years ago, and I find this article difficult to believe. You’re hard pressed to find English being spoken in any of the hallways. The teachers are pretty good, though.

[Repeat Offender]

I wish History Channel would stop wasting my time on their almost-weekly “Prophecies of Nostradamus” documentaries, and make one on the “Prophecies of Ayn Rand”.

We can watch the prophecies of Ayn in real time on FreeRepublic. The History Channel could never keep up with it all.

[PghBaldy]

If the GOP is smart, they will broadcast this to the hilt. During 10% unemployment, this won’t go over well.

[pnh102]

The Do”J” standing up for the crooks once again.

[PghBaldy]

I looked at the votes for the said law (if I have the right one, and it appears to be so). It seems “progressives” were against it. So Obama uses a Repub las against the US.: H.R. 2202: Immigration Control and Financial Responsibility Act of 1996 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h104-2202&tab=votes

[UCFRoadWarrior]

If the GOP is smart, they will broadcast this to the hilt. During 10% unemployment, this won’t go over well.

---

They should.....but there are too many pro-illegal alien GOP members....Grahamnesty, McCain, etc.... They are as much the problem as the liberal Democrats on this issue

John Jay is probably tougher on non-citizens because, most of their students end up in law enforcement of some sort....and most LEO agencies require that you are a citizen....not just a “green card” holder.

[Pontiac]

Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general for the department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement: “Every individual who is authorized to work in this country has the right to know they will be free from discrimination as they look for a job, and that they will be on the same playing field as every other applicant or worker.”

“They are not bad,” added the woman, who said that she arrived from Korea on a student visa almost 30 years ago and that her green card application was pending while she worked at John Jay. “I think they were just poorly trained.”

So if I am not mistaken she was not authorized to work because her green card application was pending.

[autumnraine]

So if they hire someone unauthorized to work in the US, they will be in trouble. But if they ask for documents that the law says they have to ask for, they will be sued.

This country is done. Good God.

[truthbetold11]

OHHHHHHHHHHH i get it a article came out from john jay about the requirements to be president. humm! born at nite but not last nite. saul alinsky attack

[Zeppo]

the Justice Department is committed to enforcing provisions of the 1996 Immigration and Nationality Act that prohibit employers from imposing different employment eligibility verification standards on noncitizens than on citizens, said Alejandro Miyar, a spokesman for the department...

Wouldn't it be a hoot if Alejandro Miyar were an illegal immigrant? I wouldn't put it past this Justice Department...

[RipSawyer]

“Is there an advantage to being a citizen?”
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

This is just a ping to myself so that if I ever do think of one I can find you again.

[nmh]

LAWS on the vooks now make it ILLEGEAL for an ILLEGAL CITIZEN to have a job. WHat’s going on there is nuts and ILLEGALS have become arrogant. MORE should follow the LAW, on the books NOW.