President Barack Obama outlined steps Nov. 20 that would revamp the nation's "broken immigration system" by allowing undocumented immigrants to play by the rules and gain work authorization – potentially changing the rules for benefit managers.
For public and private employers, Obama explained that his new proposal will help expand work authorization for high-skilled workers that are awaiting their green card. It will also allow undocumented parents of U.S. citizens, who have lived in the U.S. for more than five years, to "temporarily stay in the U.S." by passing a background check and paying taxes.
It is unclear if benefit and operating costs will rise for employers as a result of any new immigration laws, says Denyse Sabagh, head of Duane Morris' immigration practice group. She predicts a revamped system will ultimately help employers in the battle for talent.
"It's a good thing for competition," she says. "Some people who are not good-faith employers are paying lower wages because they know they can exploit undocumented workers."
To read the full text of this article, please visit the Employee Benefit News website.