Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a bold new audit initiative by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652 businesses nationwide.
This totals more notices than ICE issued throughout ALL of last fiscal year and is part of a new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for illegal employment by holding employers accountable for their hiring practices.
The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations.
Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the U.S. This form requires employers to review and record the individual's identity document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and pertinent to the individual. Lack of compliance with U.S. immigration laws can expose businesses to substantial liability.