Here They Go Again

Here they go again, being more confusing than they have a right too. Sorry, Dolly, I couldn’t resist. My wise crack refers to the “no-match letters”; those notorious letters sent out by the federal government to flag undocumented workers who might be using false Social Security numbers in order to gain work in the U.S.. Sounds pretty cut and dried, but a no-match letter doesn’t mean illegality of the worker is a certainty. After being the focus of political consternation for fear that the letters would lead to massive wholesale firings back in 2007 and 2008 the Social Security Administration stopped sending no-match letters to employers . But as of April 6, the letters are back and their language isn’t any clearer now than they were four years ago. Even the bigwigs are unsure of the proper steps to take in regards to the no-match letters. While one member of a prestigious law firm recommends employers keep all no-match letters received in a referable paper trail, the Director of the Washington Farm Labor Association suggests that employers dispose of the letters after checking their personnel files and notifying the employee. Rock, paper, scissors anyone?