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Commission affirms existing practice: county will not sponsor international work authorizations
Summary
Human resources briefed commissioners on international work-authorization sponsorship; commissioners expressed consensus to continue current practice of not sponsoring work authorizations and to hire candidates who already possess legal U.S. work authorization.
Human resources staff on Oct. 6 asked the commission whether Riley County should adopt a written policy regarding sponsorship of international work authorizations. The discussion produced a clear statement of current practice: the county does not sponsor work authorization requests, and commissioners indicated they want that practice to continue.
Elizabeth Ward, human resources director, told the commission that it is legal for a local government to sponsor work-related visas but that Riley County historically has not sponsored such authorizations. She explained common scenarios — for example, students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) or individuals with existing work authorization — where the county can lawfully employ applicants who already have a right to work in the U.S. Ward said the county has employed people who presented valid work authorization documents but that active sponsorship (applying and sponsoring a visa on behalf of a prospective employee) is not current practice.
Commissioners discussed operational burden and legal complexity of sponsorship and noted that current hiring needs are being met without sponsorship. County HR said it will document the existing practice and that volunteer positions, unpaid internships and placements where a candidate already has a work authorization would continue to be acceptable under current procedures.
No formal ordinance or resolution was adopted — commissioners asked HR to codify the existing practice in writing and to continue screening applicants for lawful work authorization under federal employment eligibility rules.
