Navigating Immigration Changes and Their Impact on Employment Law

No matter the size of your business, immigration law affects your ability to hire and retain the talent you need. With President Trump’s reelection, immigration policy is in the spotlight again, raising concerns for employers and workers alike. Changes could alter how businesses hire, verify employees, and manage daily operations. But it’s not just about business processes; these changes deeply affect people’s lives, families, and communities.

At Dozier Miller Law Group, we know immigration policies aren’t just political issues. They’re about real people and their futures. That’s why it’s important for employers like you to understand these changes and take steps to prepare for what’s ahead. We’re here to guide you through it.

2025 Snapshot: What Employers Need to Know About Immigration Law

When immigration laws change, two areas often feel the impact right away: who can work, and how employers confirm that eligibility. Businesses need to be extra diligent with hiring practices to ensure compliance, especially as stricter enforcement is put in place.

Here’s what business leaders should know about the current situation:

• Stricter Enforcement: The administration has rolled out executive orders to increase deportations, restrict asylum options, and enforce tougher penalties on undocumented immigrants. Policies like expedited removals and stricter border rules are now being applied more aggressively.
• Longer Visa Processes: The process for getting work visas is already long and complicated, and stricter policies could make it even slower. For companies that depend on foreign workers, waiting even longer for visa approvals could throw hiring plans and project timelines into disarray.
• Closer Audits: I-9 verification forms are now under more intense scrutiny. Errors, even unintentional ones, can lead to audits, inspections, and penalties.
• Shrinking Visa Options: We could face smaller caps on work visas or even lose certain visa categories altogether. For businesses that depend on foreign workers, this could lead to a shrinking workforce and challenges in filling important roles.
• Workforce Impacts: Industries like agriculture, healthcare, IT, and construction, which depend on immigrant workers, are struggling to keep up. Even though H-2B visa caps have been raised temporarily to help, the process is still so restrictive that many employers can’t fill their staffing needs.
• Legal and Humanitarian Concerns: The removal of protections like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole for over 1.8 million people, including Ukrainians and Venezuelans, has led to legal challenges. These decisions are raising questions about fairness, due process, and adherence to international law, especially when it involves deporting people to unsafe countries.

Keeping up with changing policies can be complicated and stressful. Employers need to stay informed and act quickly to keep up. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help you stay compliant, protect your team, and navigate these changes with confidence.

How Immigration Policies Could Disrupt Your Workforce

Policy changes bring risks that go beyond paperwork. For business owners, losing employees because of immigration restrictions can lower morale and leave staff feeling uncertain.

Stricter penalties for mistakes, even unintentional ones, add to the stress. Businesses might face fines or surprise audits that take focus away from daily operations. While penalties are frustrating, the biggest impact is often losing skilled and trusted employees. This can hurt a company’s culture and create long-term challenges for the team.

Industries like farming, technology, and engineering, which often depend on skilled foreign workers, are likely to feel the impact the most. Delays and restrictions could slow down business growth, disrupt plans, and create more uncertainty for companies already working on tight schedules.

Steps Employers Can Take

No matter what changes come to immigration law, preparation can make all the difference. Here’s how businesses can protect themselves and their employees:

1. Review Employment Contracts Regularly: Spell out eligibility and employment requirements clearly. This helps protect both you and your employees.
2. Double-Check I-9 Forms and E-Verify Processes: Make sure your HR team is well-versed in completing I-9 forms and using E-Verify correctly. Even small mistakes can lead to significant penalties.
3. Keep Meticulous Records: Keep detailed records of your hiring practices and employee verifications. This is your safety net in case of an audit or inquiry.
4. Work Closely with Immigration Attorneys: Staying on top of shifting laws isn’t easy to tackle alone. A good legal team, like ours here at Dozier Miller, can help guide you through these challenges, offering advice that fits your unique situation.

George Miller, one of our seasoned attorneys, points out that while immigration policies may ebb and flow depending on the political climate, their impact often comes with added complexity and fear. “This stuff has been around since 1986, but I’ve seen it come and go over my 39 years of practice,” he says. “The difference this time is the volume and the scare tactics.”

This kind of historical perspective and hands-on knowledge is essential for navigating today’s challenges. Having an experienced legal partner by your side ensures your business can adapt and focus on growing, not just surviving, amidst shifting regulations.

We’re Here to Support You

Immigration policies continue to evolve, and the impact on businesses is undeniable. However, with the right strategies in place, you can minimize risks and thrive, even amidst challenges. Partnering with an immigration attorney is the best way to stay informed and protect the foundation you’ve worked so hard to build.

If you’re concerned about how immigration changes may affect your business, reach out to our immigration team today. Together, we’ll find solutions that work for you and the people who make your company whole.

Call us at 704-372-6373 or schedule a consultation to take the first step toward protecting your future.