EMPLOYERS NEED TO PREPARE FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW. The Bush Administration has proposed two new reforms to insure that employers are employing workers who are authorized to work in the US. First, they have proposed that employers be allowed to keep I-9 employment authorization forms in electronically in digitized form. This would save space and also aid in searching them. Second, they have proposed new procedures for employers setting forth their duties and responsibilites when they receive "Social Security mismatch" letters, indicating that their employees social security numbers and names do not match with their account. The regulations will establish safe habor procedures for employers. However, they will also target employers for enforcement procedures if they repeatedly receive the mismatch letters. Accordingly, employers should be conducting internal I-9 audits at this time to ensure that their employees are authorized to be employed in the US before they are audited by the government. Hopefully, Immigration reform will be approved this year and they will be able to legalize those workers whose documents are not appropriate. However, if a new law creating a temporary worker is not approved, they must be prepared to deal with the increased workplace enforcement which is expected. For further information regarding these matters, contact ELI KANTOR at (310)274-8216; email dreli173@aol.com