The plan would allow illegal immigrants to bypass requirements like English proficiency, proof of education, and previous employment.
The New York government is considering a plan to loosen hiring qualifications for 4,000 jobs so that they can be filled by illegal immigrants who already have federal work permits.
State agencies have found 4,000 vacant positions in an effort to put illegal immigrants into the state’s workforce, according to a memo (pdf) by the New York Department of Civil Service, which was approved earlier this month.
Most of the jobs are “hard-to-recruit, entry-level titles” such as caring for people with mental and physical disabilities, building and ground maintenance, food service, automotive repair, and office aide, according to the memo, first reported by Bloomberg News.
In the memo, New York officials identified three barriers preventing illegal immigrants from getting those state jobs.
“First, many migrants and asylum seekers are unable to verify their educational attainment such as high school completion or equivalent education, which is required for some of these positions,” they wrote. “Second, some have limited English proficiency. Lastly, even if they have successful experience performing the work to be done, it may be difficult for agencies to verify previous employment outside the United States.”
To address these barriers, the Civil Service Department said it would create positions in “transitional” titles with requirements “more in line with the candidates’ qualifications.” In other words, illegal immigrants would be hired into the same positions while, at least temporarily, having the usual qualifications such as English proficiency, proof of education, and previous employment waived for them.
“Appointments to such positions would be temporary,” it added. “During that time, these individuals would obtain the required credentials for the ’target’ titles.
“The creation of these transitional titles is a win-win way for the State and its agencies to connect qualified and motivated individuals with meaningful jobs and opportunity, help solve the migrant crisis, and rebuild the State workforce,” the memo said.
By Bill Pan
