In a recent Daily Journal article, Thompson Coburn partner Elissa Gysi discussed the growing tension California employers face as they navigate the state’s expansive worker‑protection laws alongside increasingly assertive federal immigration enforcement.
“Even though employment lawyers do not think of ourselves as immigration lawyers, this is an issue we need to be up to speed on because we need to be ready for our clients to call asking what to do when ICE shows up at the door,” said Elissa.
She said employers dodged several very difficult requirements when Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 1136. This bill would have given workers up to five unpaid days off to attend immigration proceedings, required employers to reinstate terminated employees who were later able to obtain proof of work authorization, and required employers to hold a job open for a year for workers detained by immigration officers.
Elissa emphasized that some form of this proposal is likely to resurface in the future.
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