Employers Must Follow New Immigration Laws
-By Steve Bush

The Special Session of the Colorado Legislature concluded in July with what some view as a failure to significantly address the growing concerns of illegal entry into the country. Among the bills that the legislature passed and that were signed by Governor Owens are the following bills that directly affect the business community.

Employer Affirmation Requirements
After Jan. 1, 2007, all Colorado employers will be required, within 20 days after hiring a new employee, to affirm that the employer has assured themselves that the employee is entitled to work in the country, that the employer has retained copies of the documents that the employer used in competing the I-9 form, that the employer has not altered or falsified the documents, and that the employer has not knowingly hired an unauthorized alien. The employer must keep a written or electronic copy of the affirmation during the period of the employee’s employment. The legislation does not provide a form to be used for the affirmation, nor does the legislation direct the Department of Labor to promulgate a form for the employer’s use.

Licenses and Permits
The legislation prohibits state or county agencies from issuing or renewing professional and commercial licenses to persons who are unlawfully in the country. This legislation takes effect for applications and renewals beginning on Jan. 7, 2007. An applicant may prove that he or she is lawfully within the country through the use of a “secure and verifiable document," which is defined by state law as a document issued by a state or federal jurisdiction or recognized by the U. S. government and that is verifiable by federal or state law enforcement, intelligence, or homeland security agencies.

- View full article with other new bills affecting the business community