Department Of Justice Launches Nationwide Campaign To Prevent Immigration-Related Job Discrimination

Hispanic Times Magazine, Oct, 1999

The Justice Department announced recently that it has launched a nationwide media campaign to prevent immigration-related job discrimination and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities under immigration laws.

The campaign, coordinated by the Department's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSQ), includes four television and four radio spots. These public service announcements, including two in Spanish and one featuring the voice of veteran actor and Asian American community leader George Takei (Star Trek's Lt. Sulu), were distributed to the top 20 media markets in the country, and began airing in July.

"Enforcing the laws against employment discrimination includes protecting documented workers from bias because of their accent, national origin, immigration status of citizenship," said John Trasvifia, Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices.

"While most employers comply with the immigration laws, discrimination persists. OSC can assist and train employers on fair hiring practices and help workers gel hired or reinstated with back pay," added Trasvifia.

Any employer who has questions about properly documenting the work-authorization of a new employee may call PSC's Automated Employer Hotline: 1-800-255-8155. OSC's services ate provided in English and many other languages. Workers who are employment-authorized and who believe they have been discriminated against may call 1-800-255-7688 or 202-616-5594 or write to:

Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices

Post Office Box 27728 Washington, D.C. 20038-7728

Email: osc.crt@usdoj.gov

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc