Employment
Employment is critical to helping immigrants and migrants in mixed-status families in Utah build stable, independent lives. However, challenges such as work authorization restrictions, limited knowledge of labor rights, and instances of employer discrimination can make securing stable employment difficult. This section provides resources to empower individuals with a better understanding of their workplace rights, access to training programs, and connections to inclusive job opportunities that welcome immigrants and non-citizens. Understanding one’s rights and ensuring workplace safety are vital for overall well-being, and access to supportive employment resources strengthens community bonds. By connecting individuals to fair and inclusive employment options, this guide promotes financial independence and fosters a sense of belonging within the workforce—essentials for a resilient, thriving community. Check out our legal resources page here to find Utah attorneys specializing in employment-based visas.
Resources for Employers
What steps can Utah businesses take to prepare for immigration changes?
This webinar from the Utah New Americans Task Force covered key steps for businesses to prepare for evolving federal immigration policies. The presentation focused on compliance strategies, establishing ICE arrival policies, evaluating compliance risk through documentation review, conducting internal audits and I-9 retention, and legal resources for non-compliance. Community partners also shared resources, including Family Preparedness Kits, to support employees and their families. (+ Slide Deck)
What should employers do if immgration comes to their workplace?
This guide from the National Immigration Law Center and National Employment Law Center provides practical advice for addressing immigration-related actions in the workplace.
What rights should employees be aware of before immgration comes to their workplace?
This fact sheet from Legal Aid at Work offers information on workplace raids plus tips on how to prepare for a raid at your workplace. It also describes how raids are conducted.
Employment Services
Summary: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a partnership between BYU Beta Alpha Psi and the IRS. This program offers free tax help to people who generally make $79,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance preparing their tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free, basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. The BYU VITA site is for U.S. residents only. If you are a nonresident, please visit the International VITA site on BYU's campus.
Services Offered: The BYU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation help for those with low incomes, disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speakers. IRS-certified volunteers assist with basic tax returns and electronic filing while offering bilingual translation.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Email the BYU VITA Admin Email: vita.byu@gmail.com
Summary: Centro Hispano is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and uplifting Utah County's Latino community. It provides equitable access to essential resources, education, and information, offering programs and services that address critical needs such as immigration legal assistance, workforce development, English language classes, citizenship preparation, and wraparound support like emergency hygiene and food item distribution. Centro Hispano works to create opportunities, build community connections, and promote the social and economic well-being of the Latinx community while celebrating its rich cultural heritage. Centro Hispano provides a range of immigration legal services at affordable, nominal fees. These services include assistance with various immigration applications and processes.
Services Offered: Services include emergency food assistance, English classes, citizenship preparation, assistance with N-400 citizenship application, ITIN number registration, document translation, health and well-being of adolescents, taxes, and divorce petition assistance.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Call 801-655-0258
Summary: The Division of Professional Licensing helps immigrants who have previous international training to then get the proper state licensing to work in their fields. They work to remove barriers for qualified professionals in their immigration process.
Services Offered: Personal assistance in understanding licensing laws and requirements. They also offer webinars and in-person events to clarify new requirements and connect applicants with employers. Services are offered in English and Spanish.
Requirements: Applicants need to prove lawful presence and have relevant education or training in their specific field.
Preferred Contact Method: First, see the list of professions that require a license here. Then, if you do need a license, Fill out their online contact form found here.
Summary: Westminster Tax Clinic is a low-income taxpayer clinic. Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) are independent of the IRS and the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). LITCs help ensure fairness and integrity in the tax system for taxpayers who are low-income or speak English as a Second Language (ESL).
Services Offered: Advocate for taxpayers in IRS audits, appeals, and disputes, assist with IRS notices and account corrections, educate on taxpayer rights and responsibilities in multiple languages, and address issues affecting low-income and ESL taxpayers.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Email jsisovic@westminsteru.edu or call 801.832.2635.
Summary: Good Samaritan Foundation provides free tax clinics for immigrants and families in Utah, helping with federal and state tax preparation and filing for any missed-status individual or family.
Services Offered: Good Samaritan Foundation offers a free federal and state tax clinic. It includes preparation and filing.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Call 385-237-4670 or email: utahfreetaxclinic@gmail.com.
Summary: Labor Commission State of Utah offers services to ensure workplace safety, fair treatment, and support for injured workers. They handle wage claims, discrimination complaints, and workers’ compensation and provide information on labor laws. Eligibility requirements vary by service but generally include filing and proof of employment issues.
Services Offered: The Utah Labor Commission provides services related to workplace safety, fair employment practices, and workers' rights. It handles wage claims, and workplace discrimination complaints, and offers resources for injured workers. The commission also oversees workplace safety standards, regulates workers' compensation, and provides information on Utah labor laws.
Requirements: Depending on services, general work documentation for claims, but online resources/safety training are available regardless of status.
Preferred Contact Method: Call (801) 530-6800.
Summary: Legal Pathways is an online resource that helps higher education leaders support non-U.S. citizen employees, including DACA recipients, with employment-based immigration pathways. They offer best practices, policy information, and narratives from undocumented students.
Services Offered: Effective Practices for educational employees, narratives from undocumented student communities, policy information, research initiatives, information on D-3 Waivers & Employment-Based visas.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Website information portal found here.
Summary: Utah Community Action is an online resource that offers career, employment, housing information, and casework to assist struggling mixed-status families and individuals.
Services Offered: Education and self-reliance programs. Workforce Development, Head Start preschool, HEAT Utility Assistance, Housing & Case Management, Home Weatherization, and Nutrition aid and connections to families in Utah.
Requirements: Some services like employment placement require DACA/visa status, while other resources for family planning and career/financial workshops are available to anyone regardless of status.
Preferred Contact Method: Call (801) 359-2444, email info@utahca.org, or fill out the contact form found here.
Summary: Undocuprofessionals is an online resource website that helps undocumented individuals reach their career goals by providing a supportive community and mentorship opportunities nationally. They offer national events, workshops, application assistance, educational resources, and networking opportunities. Their services are open to everyone and always growing.
Services Offered: Collaborative Events, Speaking Engagements, Workshops, Application Help, Educational Resources, Networking.
Requirements: No requirements.
Preferred Contact Method: Email undocuprofessionalsmentorship@gmail.com.
Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City supports refugees and asylum seekers in rebuilding their lives through comprehensive services, including furnished housing, rent assistance, healthcare, and education programs. They provide legal consultations, assistance with green card and citizenship applications, and employment support, along with in-person and virtual U.S. citizenship classes. The IRC’s resettlement efforts prioritize meeting basic needs and helping individuals become self-reliant, with services offered at no cost.
Services Offered: The IRC helps refugees rebuild their lives by supporting self-reliance, education, and well-being. Programs provide housing, healthcare, employment training, English classes, financial literacy, and legal assistance for residency, citizenship, and family reunification. They also offer services for DACA and TPS renewal, travel documents, and employment authorization. Resettlement focuses on meeting basic needs and providing social services during the early stages. Additionally, the IRC offers in-person and virtual U.S. citizenship classes to prepare for the citizenship exam, including English, civics, and interview practice.
Requirements: Must have refugee or asylum status.
Preferred Contact Method: Contact their DOJ-accredited immigration specialists to set up an appointment by calling the main phone line, 801-328-1091. You can also email your inquiry to Immigration.SLC@rescue.org.