Justice Department Settlement: Citizenship Discrimination Case with Watercrest Community Management

The U.S. Department of Justice has resolved a case involving Watercrest Community Management LLC at its Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, location, for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The settlement addresses the company’s discrimination against a non-U.S. citizen worker during the Form I-9 employment eligibility verification process.

Details of the Violation

• Incident: Watercrest improperly rejected a valid work authorization document provided by a non-U.S. citizen worker.
• Additional Demands: The company requested extra and unnecessary documentation, citing issues with the commercial software it used for completing Form I-9.
• INA Compliance: The INA prohibits discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status and mandates that employers accept valid work authorization documents without imposing additional requirements.

Key Provisions of the Settlement

1. Policy Adjustments: Watercrest must modify its employment verification practices. If software-related issues arise, the company is required to complete a physical Form I-9 instead of rejecting valid documents.
2. Financial Penalty: Watercrest will pay a civil penalty to the U.S. government.
3. Training and Monitoring: Employees will receive training on anti-discrimination requirements, and Watercrest will undergo monitoring by the Justice Department.

Massive Chase Bank Branches Closing in USA 2024

Equifax Data Breach Settlement: Amount, Deadlines and Compensation

Walmart US Store Closures 2024: Is Your Local Store on the List?

Credit Karma Lawsuit 2024: FTC Issues $2.5 Million in Payments

Chase Bank Continues Nationwide Branch Closures: Full List for 2024

Resources for Workers and Employers

The settlement highlights the importance of compliance with the INA in the workplace. Employers and workers can access resources, including webinars, videos, and hotlines, to understand rights and responsibilities under federal law.

• Worker Hotline: 1-800-255-7688
• Employer Hotline: 1-800-255-8155
• Email: [email protected]

For more details, visit the Justice Department’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER).

This case serves as a reminder of the legal obligations employers have to ensure fair and nondiscriminatory treatment of workers during the employment eligibility verification process.