Compliance Stuff

On September 19, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a  False Claims Act  (FCA) settlement with a New Jersey shipyard that allegedly hired subcontractors employing undocumented workers. The recent settlement highlights an ongoing shift in the federal government’s strategy to enforce immigration laws aimed at businesses with federal contracts. It also underscores the Trump administration’s stated focus on enforcing immigration laws through various legal avenues, including criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and enforcement actions against employers. Businesses should expect and prepare for heightened scrutiny regarding their hiring and employment practices under this administration. Increased FCA Risks for Employers The FCA prohibits individuals and businesses from knowingly submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment to the federal government under 18 U.S.C. § 287 .  FCA violations  can result in civil penalties, including significan...

  On February 25, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  announced  a registration and fingerprinting requirement for noncitizens present in the United States. Quick Hits All noncitizens fourteen years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa (or previously registered children who turn fourteen years old) and who remain in the United States for thirty days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting. The specific process for registration has not yet been announced. Those who are required to register should  create a USCIS online account  to prepare for the registration process. Failure to comply will result in civil fines and potential criminal misdemeanor charges. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14159, “ Protecting the American People Against Invasion ,” which expands the administration’s efforts to address illegal entry and unlawful presence of foreign...