Mrs. Fields’ settles with U.S. Justice Department

BROOMFIELD — The U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement with Mrs. Fields’ Original Cookies Inc. in an immigration and employment case.

The settlement resolves a claim that the Broomfield-based company violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act at its Salt Lake City-based production and distribution center when it verified the work authorization of non-U.S. citizens.

The investigation by the Justice Department found that from March 2016 to March 2017, the company required lawful permanent residents to provide specific documentation issued by the Department of Homeland Security to prove they were authorized to work. That requirement was not imposed on U.S. citizens.

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“All work-authorized individuals, regardless of citizenship status, have the right to choose which document to present, from a range of valid documents, to demonstrate their authority to work in the United States,” the Justice Department said in a news release. “The anti-discrimination provision of the INA prohibits employers from subjecting employees to unnecessary documentary demands based on employees’ citizenship status or national origin.”

Under the settlement, Mrs. Fields’ will pay $26,400 in civil penalties to the United States and be subject to departmental monitoring and requirements. Certain employees will also be required to attend training.

“Workers should not have to face discrimination because of citizenship status or national origin in the employment eligibility verification process,” Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division said in a prepared statement.  “We are pleased that Mrs. Fields’ has agreed to work with the Division and ensure that its staff is trained on the anti-discrimination provision of the INA, and we look forward to working with the company to reach this shared goal.”