Department of Justice Seal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

JANUARY 15, 1999

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

CALIFORNIA COMPANY TO PAY HISPANIC WOMAN UNDER SETTLEMENT REACHED WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Washington , D.C.-- A southern California company that manufactures campers will pay more than $5,000 in back pay and civil penalties for unlawfully refusing to accept a U.S. passport as proof that a prospective employee is authorized to work in the country, under an agreement reached last night with the Justice Department's Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC).

In April of 1998, Josefina Arreola, a U.S. citizen of Hispanic descent, complained to OSC that she had been denied a job because she was perceived to be a non-U.S. citizen.

According to the complaint, Arreola responded to a newspaper advertisement placed by Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation of Lancaster, seeking applicants for assembler positions. Lance rejected Arreola's U.S. passport as legal proof of her eligibility to work and demanded that she present an INS-issued document because she was perceived to be a non-U.S. citizen.

"Treating U.S. citizens as if they are not U.S. citizens because of their appearance or language ability is simply wrong," said Special Counsel John Trasviña. "We are pleased by this settlement and hope it serves to educate employers and workers generally about their rights and responsibilities under the law."

OSC enforces the anti-discrimination provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Among other things, the provisions prohibit an employer from discriminating against someone by asking that person for more proof of work authorization than is required. Under the law, a U.S. passport is sufficient evidence of a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Acting on Arreola's complaint, OSC obtained a settlement of $4,080 in full back pay for Arreola and a $1,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Treasury.

Since its inception in 1986, OSC has received more than 6,000 complaints, recovering more than $1.8 million in back pay and more than $1.2 million in civil penalties.

OSC was established to ensure that all work-authorized individuals--U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike--are not subject to discrimination in the hiring process because of their national origin, citizenship status or because they are thought to look or sound foreign.

Individuals seeking more information about assistance provided by OSC, may call, toll-free, 1-800 255-7688 or 202-616-5594 or write to:

Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices

P.O. Box 27728

Washington, D.C. 2038-7728

E-mail: osc.crt@usdoj.gov

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc

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