Immigrant and Employee Rights Section
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Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is a division within the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, tasked with enforcing laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin.
Mission
The mission of the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section is to enforce laws against employment discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin, thereby protecting the rights of workers in the United States. The IER works to ensure that all workers, regardless of their immigration status, are treated fairly and equitably in the workplace, investigating complaints, and promoting compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
Parent organization
The IER is part of the U.S. Department of Justice, specifically within its Civil Rights Division, which focuses on enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, and national origin.
Legislation
The IER was established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which included provisions for anti-discrimination in employment.
Partners
The IER collaborates with:
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Various state and local agencies focusing on labor and civil rights
Number of employees
The IER has approximately 50 employees.
Organization structure
- Enforcement and Litigation handles charge investigations and litigation of cases involving discrimination.
- Outreach and Education conducts educational programs to inform employers and workers about their rights and responsibilities.
- Policy and Program Development focuses on policy interpretation and development.
List of programs
- Employer and Worker Hotlines for assistance
- Educational Seminars and Workshops
- Technical Assistance Letters
Last total enacted budget
The budget for the IER is not publicly detailed separately from the broader DOJ budget.
Leader
The title of the leader of the organization is **Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices**.
Services provided
The IER provides services such as investigating discrimination charges, prosecuting cases of employment discrimination, offering mediation services, and conducting outreach to educate both employers and employees about anti-discrimination laws. They also provide guidance on how to comply with these laws, especially in relation to employment eligibility verification processes like Form I-9 and E-Verify.
Regulations overseen
The IER oversees the enforcement of the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically 8 U.S.C. § 1324b, which prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, as well as unfair documentary practices and retaliation.
Headquarters address
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20530, USA
History
Originally known as the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, it was renamed to the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section in 2017. Its creation was part of a broader legislative effort to address the impacts of immigration policy on employment practices, ensuring that immigration enforcement does not lead to discriminatory employment practices.