Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Nanny Being Deported
My Google News Alerts have been full of reports this week about a Boston area nanny currently incarcerated awaiting deportation for failure to obtain a valid work visa. The young nanny, a native of Belgium, has worked for the same family for two years. It appears that all taxes have been paid, she has broken no other laws while here. The family she works for adores her; in fact they have unsuccessfully petitioned to adopt her to help her out of the prediciment. Meanwhile, the young lady sits in jail.
The nanny entered the country on a student visa. This visa did not confer work eligibility. Many families willingly overlook the immigration status of nanny applicants, instead seeking the best possible match for their family and their children. This practice is problematic at best.
1. The non-documented individual cannot be properly background screened. In our office, background checks of new staff are a matter of policy. This is part of necessary due dilligence in hiring individuals who will have access to client funds (we process household payroll). How much more important is this due dilligence for individuals who will be left in sole charge of our young, aged, or infirm? Don't these vunerable family members deserve as much, if not more, protection than our money?
2. Families can, and often do, pay the employment taxes on their non-documented staff. This helps the family avoid exposure to tax reporting penalties, but in no way removes their liability for knowing violation of US immigration law.
Proper vetting and background checking of household staff is of vital importance. More information on background and reference checking nannies and other domestics can be found at 4nannies.com.
My Google News Alerts have been full of reports this week about a Boston area nanny currently incarcerated awaiting deportation for failure to obtain a valid work visa. The young nanny, a native of Belgium, has worked for the same family for two years. It appears that all taxes have been paid, she has broken no other laws while here. The family she works for adores her; in fact they have unsuccessfully petitioned to adopt her to help her out of the prediciment. Meanwhile, the young lady sits in jail.
The nanny entered the country on a student visa. This visa did not confer work eligibility. Many families willingly overlook the immigration status of nanny applicants, instead seeking the best possible match for their family and their children. This practice is problematic at best.
1. The non-documented individual cannot be properly background screened. In our office, background checks of new staff are a matter of policy. This is part of necessary due dilligence in hiring individuals who will have access to client funds (we process household payroll). How much more important is this due dilligence for individuals who will be left in sole charge of our young, aged, or infirm? Don't these vunerable family members deserve as much, if not more, protection than our money?
2. Families can, and often do, pay the employment taxes on their non-documented staff. This helps the family avoid exposure to tax reporting penalties, but in no way removes their liability for knowing violation of US immigration law.
Proper vetting and background checking of household staff is of vital importance. More information on background and reference checking nannies and other domestics can be found at 4nannies.com.
