Employment Verification Process Has Pitfalls Even In The Absence Of Unauthorized Workers

On January 7, 2013, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Centerplate, Inc. had agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  Specifically, the DOJ alleged that Centerplate engaged in a pattern or practice of treating work-eligible non-citizens differently from United States citizens in the employment eligibility verification process by requesting that non-U.S. citizens show specific documents to demonstrate work eligibility.  In addition to the civil penalty, the DOJ reports that Centerplate also agreed to fully compensate any victims for lost wages.  Centerplate is an international hospitality company.