Accepting work without work authorization?

[Luckygoat 2]

I went on a interview today at a bank thinking the process would take a month or so and by then I would have my work authorization but to my surprize they want me to start in two weeks.

I know I will not have my documents by then because I havent even received a biometric appointment yet, so my question is...will it be a problem if I start working now considering I will receieve my documents in a month or two. The employers is fine with it because I already have a SSN and would just have to provide the work authorization paper onces it comes in.

[Danu 19]

I went on a interview today at a bank thinking the process would take a month or so and by then I would have my work authorization but to my surprize they want me to start in two weeks.

I know I will not have my documents by then because I havent even received a biometric appointment yet, so my question is...will it be a problem if I start working now considering I will receieve my documents in a month or two. The employers is fine with it because I already have a SSN and would just have to provide the work authorization paper onces it comes in.

Working without authorization is illegal. Until you have the authorization in your hands you are not authorized to work, and both you and your employer could get in trouble if they do a sweep.

[Anh map 2,098]

Both you and the employer would be taking a risk.

[bonjur_mimi 0]

I went on a interview today at a bank thinking the process would take a month or so and by then I would have my work authorization but to my surprize they want me to start in two weeks.

I know I will not have my documents by then because I havent even received a biometric appointment yet, so my question is...will it be a problem if I start working now considering I will receieve my documents in a month or two. The employers is fine with it because I already have a SSN and would just have to provide the work authorization paper onces it comes in.

Please, don't take any risk. In your case, SSN is not enough to proof that you can legally work in the U.S

[DedicatedWife 4]

Please be very careful. As others have stated, you're taking a huge risk! Don't take a gamble, be patient and wait on your work authorization.

[HeatDeath 430]

Review the list of documents on the last page of the I-9 work authorization form.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=31b3ab0a43b5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Your employer is required to have you fill out and sign this within 3 days of your employment start date. So that's the deadline by which you need to have your work authorization documents. There are a number of combinations of documents that will work, but the most common ones for K-1 entrants are:

A ) A green card, or an I-551 (green card) passport stamp.

B ) An EAD card. [since March 2009, the JFK airport work authorization stamp is only useful if your visa specifies a specific US employer. The K-1 does not.]

C ) A US or Canadian driver's license + an unrestricted US Social Security Card [which you will need a GC to get anyways.]

From the form:

"Employers must complete Section 2 by examining evidence of identity and employment authorization within three business days of the date employment begins."

I would recommend, in the strongest possible terms, against you or your employer "fudging" your work start date to get around this. As with any USCIS form (and this is a USCIS form), severe penalties exist for willful misrepresentation, by either the employer or the employee.

Also from the form:

"Submission of the information required in this form is voluntary. However, an individual may not begin employment unless this form is completed, since employers are subject to civil or criminal penalties if they do not comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986."

And this is written right above where you sign:

"I am aware that federal law provides for imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or use of false documents in connection with the completion of this form."

Edited April 6, 2010 by HeatDeath

[sachinky 465]

Short answer, it's illegal.

[UnIqUe 4]

We, everyone, want to work ASAP. But you have to wait until all are done with USCIS cuz itz illegal if you don't have legal papers.