Latest news with #FormI-9
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cheesecake Factory denies knowingly hiring undocumented employees
You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. The Cheesecake Factory Inc. disputes a trafficking lawsuit that alleges the company knowingly recruited and hired undocumented workers at a Willow Grove, Pa., unit and subjected them to abusive conditions. 'The allegations in the complaint are entirely false and without merit,' Sidney Greathouse, senior vice president of legal services, at the Calabasas Hills, Calif.-based company, said in a statement. 'The company follows well-established internal protocols to ensure consistent compliance with all federal employment verification laws, including our obligations under Form I-9 requirements,' Greathouse said. 'We take these matters seriously and intend to vigorously defend against these baseless accusations through the appropriate legal channels. We are confident that the facts will clearly demonstrate the integrity of our practices.' Two male workers and three female workers at the Willow Grove restaurant alleged in a June 19 lawsuit, Doe A.S.M. v. The Cheesecake Factory Inc., that they provided them with false employment documents and forced them to work unpaid hours, including overtime. The complaint also alleges they were denied bathroom and meal breaks and forced to work during the COVID-19 lockdown under unsafe conditions. The workers also claimed management threatened to deport them if they didn't work hard or fast enough while forcing them to sign documents in English. The plaintiffs sued Cheesecake Factory for violations of the federal Trafficking Victim Protection Reauthorization Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as well as Pennsylvania's Human Trafficking Act and Human Rights Act. Recent enforcement actions by President Donald Trump's administration against the employment of noncitizen immigrants have increased the risk for employers. The case involves E-Verify, a web-based system through which employers can electronically confirm an employee's eligibility to work in the United States. The system takes information from an employee's Form I-9 — the employment eligibility verification document that must be submitted for all employees — and electronically compares that information with records available to the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Contact Ron Ruggless at Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless Sign in to access your portfolio
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Why Soham Parekh, the startup scammer, isn't the only one to blame
He had a catchy resume, whizzed past interviews and landed jobs at not one, but over 15 Silicon Valley startups. However, Indian techie Soham Parekh's only blip was that he was working at all of those startups at once - a moonlighting saga that has made him famous overnight and earned him an avalanche of how did Soham manage to pull it off in an age where background checks can be done with a simple click? Experts pointed out that it may be more than it meets the Soham's flight of fancy was busted by Suhail Doshi, co-founder of Playground AI, the founders of the startups where Soham worked wasted no time in coming out and accused him of deception and resume fraud. Yes, he might have exploited the loopholes of remote work culture, but how did he get past the verification process? Several users on X questioned how the startups did not even verify his location."He lies about his location. We thought we were hiring someone in the US. Even sent a laptop to a US address. Got it back! Allegedly, it was sent to his 'sister'," Suhail wrote while outing Soham's modus PROCESS?The US Tech Workers, a non-profit organisation operating under the Institute for Sound Public Policy, raised a pertinent question. How did Soham get past the I-9 employment eligibility verification process?As per rules, employers in the US have to mandatorily fill Form I-9 to verify an employee's identity and legal authorisation to work in America. It has to be substantiated using documents such as a valid visa and Social Security Number (SSN).SSN is a nine-digit number issued to US citizens, permanent residents, and temporary or working case raises questions about whether the startups that hired him diligently followed the verification process or bypassed it completely in a bid to hire talent media users pointed out that the startups might have remained silent as it was a win-win situation - get talent without having to break the bank."We all know the reason why - the amount paid would have been much less than what others based in the US would have demanded. So, the companies who are just blaming it on the employee are either being too naive or just plainly deflecting the blame on the weakest link," a user tweeted, "Now, it's managers who want to delegate before they can afford, so they hire cheap foreign labour so they can sit back and post about how great their startup is."Moreover, none also bothered to verify his resume. Sharing Soham's CV, the Playground AI founder pointed out that 90% of the content was fabricated, and the provided links were no longer WORK FRAUDadvertisementHowever, the story doesn't end the magnitude of the deception started unravelling, another US-based entrepreneur mentioned how the Indian techie used the tensions between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor to "guilt-trip" AI co-founder Arkadiy Telegin, who shared screenshots of his chats with Soham, claimed that the Indian techie pretended to be in a conflict zone during the hostilities and cited it for the delay in completing his said the Soham Parekh story was just "the tip of the iceberg", exposing a growing trend of remote work fraud.A viral LinkedIn post by Deedy Das, a tech investor, has detailed how several such Soham Parekhs were exploiting the remote model - using mouse jigglers (a tool with which one can simulate the movement of a mouse) and outsourcing his post, the investor cited a Reddit thread where an engineer claimed to be earning USD 8,00,000 per year juggling five the row, Soham, in an interview, said his actions were driven by a financial crunch and suggested that he worked 140 hours a Deedy Das suggested the claims to be misleading and fraud and pointed out flaws in his resume. "All this while saying he didn't want to 'center a div for 6hrs' in BigTech," Das tweeted.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
'What about I-9 verification': US tech workers on Indian techie Soham Parekh's fraud amid mass layoff
Indian techie Soham Parekh is accused of working in multiple US startups staying in India. The news of Indian techie Soham Parekh working for multiple US-based startups while staying in India triggered a fresh row amid US companies announcing mass layoffs. Microsoft announced its second layoff of 9,000 workers in months, though the company is hiring H-1Bs -- skilled workers from foreign countries. As India and China mostly dominate the foreign hirings in tech, the news of an Indian techie working for several US companies staying in India spread rage among US workers who questioned how the startups did not even verify his location. 'He lies about his sent a laptop to a US address' Playground AI founder Suhail Doshi, who exposed Soham Parik,h said Parikh lies about his location. "He lies about his location. We thought we were hiring someone in the US. Even sent a laptop to a US address. Got it back! Allegedly, it was sent to his 'sister'," Suhail wrote. What about Form I-9, SSN? Form I-9 is a U.S. government form that employers must complete to verify a new employee's identity and legal authorization to work in the United States. Social media users questioned how Parekh could bypass several steps of verification that even include the requirement of a Social Security Number which many employers check to confirm work authorization. 'There's a lot being said about me right now' Amid the social media chatter that soham Parekh is only the tip of the iceberg and there are many such Indians robbing US tech workers of their jobs, an X account on the name of Soham Parekh issued a statement. "There's a lot being said about me right now, and most of you don't know the full story. If there's one thing to know about me, it's that I love to build," the statement read. It' not verified whether the account belongs to him. "I've been isolated, written off, and shut out by nearly everyone I've known and every company I've worked at. But building is the only thing I've ever truly known, and it's what I'll keep doing. Earlier today, I signed an exclusive founding deal to be founding engineer at one company and one company only. They were the only ones willing to bet on me at this time. The team is cracked, they back misfits, and they're building something absolutely insane in the video AI space. We're launching at the end of this month. More details tomorrow in my TBPN interview. I'm pissed. And I've got something to prove," the statement added.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What is E-Verify for US employees? Here's what you need to know
E-verify for US employees A job acceptance may feel like the end of the road in the hiring journey, but for many workers in the United States, it's only the beginning of a silent but swift verification process that could determine their ability to actually start the job. At the heart of this digital checkpoint is E-Verify, a powerful tool employers use to confirm whether new hires are legally eligible to work in the country. Though it operates behind the scenes, E-Verify plays a growing role in shaping who gets to work and when. And for employees, understanding the system is no longer optional. It's essential. What exactly is e-verify? E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in coordination with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It compares information from an employee's Form I-9—a document required by federal law on the first day of employment—with government records to determine if a person is authorized to work in the U.S. Originally created under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, the system has expanded significantly in recent years. While not every employer is legally required to use E-Verify, participation is mandatory for federal contractors and in certain states where local law mandates it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo When does it happen, and what can't employers do? E-Verify may only be used after a candidate has accepted a formal job offer and has completed Form I-9. Employers are strictly prohibited from using it as a pre-employment screening tool. That means your eligibility can't be checked during interviews, assessments, or before the paperwork is signed. If an employer attempts to run an E-Verify check before offering a position, they are not only violating the terms of the system—they may be engaging in unlawful discriminatory practices. Employees should be aware of this boundary and speak up if it is crossed. What happens during the verification process? Once Form I-9 is submitted, the employer inputs details such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and immigration or citizenship documentation into the E-Verify portal. In most cases, the system returns a result within three to five seconds. Here's what you might encounter: Employment Authorized : Your data matches government records—no further action needed. Tentative Nonconfirmation (TNC) : A mismatch was found. Final Nonconfirmation : You either didn't contest the TNC or couldn't resolve it within the timeline. If you receive a TNC, it doesn't mean you're ineligible to work—it means there's an inconsistency that must be clarified. Employers are legally required to notify you of this and provide written instructions to contest the result. You'll then have eight federal business days to contact the appropriate agency—either DHS or SSA—to begin resolving the issue. Your rights: Non-negotiable and federally protected Employees have specific rights throughout the E-Verify process. These include: The right to be notified of any mismatch. The right to contest that mismatch without retaliation. The right to continue working while the mismatch is being resolved. Protection from discrimination based on nationality, citizenship status, or immigration background. An employer cannot fire, suspend, delay a start date, or change job conditions just because a TNC has been issued. Doing so violates federal anti-discrimination laws and could lead to serious penalties. The importance of accurate documents Most E-Verify mismatches happen because of errors—typos in names, outdated immigration documents, or mismatches between married names and Social Security records. To avoid unnecessary complications, employees should ensure their documents are accurate and up to date before submitting Form I-9. If you're unsure about your records, you can use Self Check, a free tool provided by E-Verify that lets individuals confirm their own work eligibility and flag issues ahead of time. What E-verify is not E-Verify does not determine immigration status. It only checks whether your employment documents match the government's existing records. It also doesn't replace the Form I-9, which employers must still complete and retain for every employee, regardless of E-Verify participation. Nor is E-Verify a mechanism for job applicants to gain work authorization. It's a verification system, not an application process—and should not be confused with pathways like green card sponsorship or work visa applications. Why this matters now more than ever As more employers across industries, from tech startups to retail giants, voluntarily adopt E-Verify, employees across the country are increasingly finding themselves subject to it. Yet most don't realize what's happening until a mismatch occurs. In a labor environment where one error in a database can delay your first paycheck, or worse, cost you a job, proactive knowledge is your best protection. Knowing your rights, understanding the steps, and being ready to respond puts power back into your hands. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin immigrant work; what to know among rising deportations
The Brief Undocumented workers do an estimated 70% of the work on Wisconsin's dairy farms. White House border czar Tom Homan said the country could see more workplace immigration actions than ever before. All United States employers and their new hires must fill out a Form I-9, proving they are legally able to work with required government documents. WISCONSIN - Gov. Tony Evers said he's worried about the growing push for deportations, while the Trump administration said it's restoring the rule of law. What we know White House border czar Tom Homan said the country could see more workplace immigration actions than ever before, saying these undocumented people have no right to be in the United States. "We're gonna increase the teams greatly, so you're gonna see more teams on the streets you've never seen before. You're gonna see more work site enforcement than you've ever seen in the history of this nation," Homan said. "If we can't find them in the community, we're going to find them at the work site. So we're going to flood the zone and sanctuary cities will get exactly what they don't want: more agents in their neighborhoods, more work site enforcement, because we're going to get the bad guy." Local perspective This is not just worrying Evers, but some Wisconsin farmers. Undocumented workers do an estimated 70% of the work on Wisconsin's dairy farms, according to a University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Workers study. "I don't know who the hell is going to milk the cows," Evers said. "So I'm fearful [...] if it's suddenly people who are not appropriately documented who are waiting to be documented, and they're picked up because they don't have a document, and that makes them a criminal, that's just bulls—, frankly." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The Dairy State has about 70,000 undocumented immigrants, and about 47,000 of them are working, per the Migration Policy Institute's 2019 estimates. "It's certainly something that is a fear of many farmers across the state that have hispanic labor, immigrant labor," Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden said. "We all have the knowledge that most of our workers are documented, and we shouldn't be having an issue, but what happens when the ice enforcement agents show up and want to go after more people than those who have criminal records?" All United States employers and their new hires must fill out a Form I-9, proving they are legally able to work with required government documents. "All of this needs to be done in the first three days of employment," said Brook Mayborne, Metro Milwaukee Society of Human Resource Management president-elect. It's a felony to use a fake ID for this – and if someone doesn't have the documents within those three days? "They should be taken off the schedule. They shouldn't be allowed to work until they're able to produce it. That does happen quite a bit, where they're not able to show their documentation," Mayborne said. "The paperwork is retained with the employer. They must retain it for at least three years or for the duration of employment. It's kept on file in case of any questions or audits or things like that." It's not just the immigrant at risk of deportation, but employers can also face fines and even prison. Dig deeper So, when employers are checking papers in the U.S., there are two primary categories of visas: non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas. The purpose of the non-immigrant visa is temporary stay in the U.S., which means the holder is expected to leave the U.S. when the visa expires. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Examples include business visas and student visas, as well as visas for crime victims and human trafficking victims. With a non-immigrant visa, there's no intent to immigrate. So applicants have to prove they plan to return to their home country when their visa expires. The purpose of an immigrant visa is to obtain permanent residence in the U.S. that leads to green card status, or lawful permanent resident status. Examples include family-based immigration, like the spouse of a U.S. citizen, employment-based immigration and diversity visas. The Source The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
