What employers should know about immigration reform

Controversy has exploded over President Obama’s Nov. 20 announcement regarding immigration-related executive actions. As of this writing, the U.S. House of Representatives was considering legislation to block the president’s proposed actions and the White House was threatening a veto. Politics aside, businesses and affected individuals should understand the practical implications of the president’s announcement.

The president’s plan is focused on people who already are in the United States but do not have status to remain here lawfully. To a lesser extent, the plan is intended to make administrative changes for individuals who have entered or are seeking…