Utah Center for Immigration & Integration

Helping businesses and individuals navigate the process of foreign labor programs.

During its 2021 general session, the Utah Legislature passed H.B. 404, which created the Utah Center for Immigration & Integration. The statute defines its purpose as a one-stop resource for individuals and businesses seeking immigration guidance and information on Utah’s foreign labor rules and regulations.

The center coordinates with state and federal government partners to facilitate the successful use of foreign labor programs and coordinates with other entities engaged in international efforts.

One-Page Info Sheet

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New American Task Force

New Americans play a vital role in the state’s fast-growing and robust economy and most in-demand fields. The launch of the New Americans Taskforce is the start of a statewide effort to develop a comprehensive strategy that maximizes economic opportunities, social inclusion, and civic potential for New Americans. Additionally, it builds an environment of belonging in Utah. 

In May 2022, the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging released a report by the American Immigration Council highlighting the contributions of Utah’s immigrant communities. Between 2000 and 2019, the number of immigrants in Utah increased by 64%. 

Join the New American Task Force as it rolls out its inaugural statewide effort to promote the integration and inclusion of Utah’s immigrant communities. Members will be responsible for providing recommendations on key areas related to the goals and outcomes of this initiative comprised of community stakeholders representing multiple sectors and Utah’s diverse immigrant communities.  

Read the full report here

Sector-specific workgroups

The Task Force will be divided into four sector-specific workgroups.

Economic Opportunity

This task force workgroup focuses on economic mobility, including adult education, upskilling existing talent, access to employment services, small business development, recruiting, and retaining global talent.

Government Leadership

The goal of this workgroup focuses on working with state and municipal agencies to establish equitable policies and initiatives that advance integration efforts of Utah’s immigrant community.

Connected Communities

This task force workgroup works with stakeholders on strategies that foster a culture of belonging across sectors and communities.

Education

The goal of this workgroup focuses on establishing policy and practices that foster the inclusion of children from immigrant families from early childhood education to accessing higher education. It will also work with Utah’s international student community to establish opportunity and inclusion practices.

To join a workgroup, please complete this Google Form.

Workgroups will meet monthly to develop strategy and policy recommendations to present to the New American Task Force convening partners. 

Workgroup Form

New American Task Force Partners

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Resources For Businesses

After a decade of unprecedented growth, Utah has the No. 1 economy and the country’s No. 2 lowest unemployment rate. With this growth comes tremendous opportunities for Utah businesses to expand, creating the need for talent and skills that may not be available locally.

If a business finds that it needs to hire a foreign-based worker with those skills, it’s up to them to navigate the process of getting them into the U.S.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), this process is called getting a Foreign Labor Certification and usually involves getting “approval from several government agencies.”

First, employers must seek labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor. Next, the employer must petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for a visa. Following this, the Department of State (DOS) will issue an immigrant visa number to the foreign worker for U.S. entry.

Getting a Foreign Labor Certification can be outlined in six steps:

  1. The employer must ensure that the position meets the qualifying criteria for the requested program.
  2. The employer must complete the ETA form designated for the requested program. This may include the form and any supporting documentation (e.g., job description, applicant’s resume, etc.).
  3. The employer must ensure that the wage offered equals or exceeds the prevailing wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment.
  4. The employer must ensure that the compliance issues effected upon receipt of a foreign labor certification are entirely understood.
  5. The completed ETA form is submitted to the designated Department of Labor office for the requested program (e.g., SWA, processing center, or the national office).
  6. The employer is notified of the determination of the Department of Labor.

Sources
https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/about.cfm
DWS: About the Foreign Language Certification

Suazo Business Center

Supports entrepreneurs, helping them explore, launch, and grow their business through bilingual consulting, in-depth training, and various business-related workshops and resources. Their team focuses on the company and the business owner, providing wrap-around support services to address potential barriers to success.

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Catholic Immigration Services

The Catholic Community Services of Utah provide immigration services and assistance to individuals and their families. They offer a wide range of services under the refugee resettlement program, including:

  • Areas of immigration legal assistance: Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Employment authorization, Employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, Family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
  • Type of legal services provided: Help to complete forms, filings with USCIS, representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), representation before the Immigration Court, representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
  • Not-legal servicesEmployment services, language services, Legal Orientation Programs (LOP) / Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funded services for trafficking victims, referrals to other services, social services
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Immigration Services

Immigration Services helps people who have immigrated to the United States find the support and resources they need to succeed in their communities and become self-reliant. These services are provided by partnering with community organizations.

  • Legal clinics (in partnership with University of Utah’s law school)
  • Welcome centers
  • Cultural Adaptation classes
  • Immigrant Workshops (local attorneys address immigration issues and share local resources)
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This Salt Lake City nonprofit helps individuals and families with asylum, daily reunification, citizenship and victim assistance (U-Visa’s and VAWA’s) and more.

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Holy Cross Ministries Legal Immigration Program

This organization helps immigrants and families gain legal status.

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Communidas Unidas

This organization provides resources to immigrants in Utah. Spanish resources are available.

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International Rescue Committee

This organization helps individuals with legal needs.

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Utah Immigration Collaborative

An initiative launched by the IRC, Catholic Community Services of Utah, Comunidades Unidas, Holy Cross Ministries, and Immigrant Legal Services, that provides legal assistance for low-income refugees, asylees, immigrants, and other displaced persons in Salt Lake County.

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