Form I-9 Audits by ICE at ALL TIME HIGH!

Yesterday was a red letter day for the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Enforcement of Form I 9 compliance by employers is on ICE’s priority list and business owners are suffering the consequences.

ICE issued 1,000 Notices of Inspection yesterday – a RECORD for the Department of Homeland Security, the agency that oversees ICE.  John Morton, assistant secretary of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they have fined businesses MILLIONS of dollars for breaking immigration laws.

I 9 Compliance – the First Line of Defense

I 9 compliance is a large part of the immigration laws of the United Stated, yet most employers are not even close to compliance.  Employers should understand that the best way to protect themselves in this new era of employment eligibility verification enforcement is to complete the I-9 process accurately and completely.  Having a correctly executed Form I-9 on file for EVERY person hired is the absolute first line of defense against the huge penalties and negative publicity associated with an ICE inspection.

I am calling on employers to refocus their energy on the best tool they have to protect themselves from tens of thousands of dollars in fines, civil penalties and possible jail time – the Form I-9. Make it your priority to get I-9 compliant!

1,200 Janitors Lose Jobs in I 9 Audit

Approximately 1,200 janitors with suspect employment documents were fired from their jobs in the Twin Cities area, after the company they worked for was the target of  an I 9 audit by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In April, the Department of Homeland Security issued a memo announcing a change in approach to enforcement.  Rather than focus on illegal workers in the work site raids we saw during the Bush administration, the focus shifted to inspecting employers’ hiring practices and compliance with the Form I-9 and the employment eligibility verification process.

I 9 Audit Results in Loss of Jobs

The 1,200 janitors were fired from their jobs after an I 9 audit by ICE.  The janitors worked for ABM Industries Inc., a New-York based company that provides janitorial services nationwide.

This should be a wake-up call to every business to make sure they are I-9 compliant.  ICE has not yet issued a Fine Notice but I can assure you it will be HUGE!

The importance of Form I 9 compliance cannot be stressed enough.  Many companies, both large and small, are being impacted.