E-VERIFY NEWS

E-Verify News:  ICE Issues New Wave Of I-9 Inspection Notices 

In a new round of inspections to determine if employers in the United States are violating employment laws by hiring unauthorized workers, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—recently issued Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to various employers around the country. The NOIs give businesses notice that ICE will conduct inspections for compliance of Employment Eligibility Verification Forms (Form I-9s) that require employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.


According to a statement released by the ICE Office of Public Affairs (OPA):

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to various employers on Friday, November 4. These inspections are designed to determine whether or not the businesses are violating U.S. employment laws by hiring unauthorized workers. The names and locations of the businesses will not be released at this time due to the ongoing nature of the inspections.”

Last month, Secretary Janet Napolitano confirmed the latest set of ICE statistics covering fiscal year 2009 through October 2011:

• 6,000 employers audited
• 441 companies and individuals debarred
• More than $76 million in financial sanctions
• 1333% increase in fines levied from FY2008 to FY2011

Aurico can assist you in your E-Verify/I-9 Compliance and recommends the following best practices:

1. Create I-9 Compliance Policy and Training Protocols
2. Provide Candidates with I-9 List of Acceptable Documents prior to hiring
3. Re-verify status or work authorization documents with expiration dates in Section 3:
   
   •  Utilize a tickler system to ensure timely re-verification
   •  Remind employees of upcoming expiration dates
   •  Send reminders out 90, 60 and 30 days before expiration
4. Purge I-9s of ex-employees, after employment ends
   
   • Three years after date of hire or one year after employment ends … whichever is later
5. I-9 Audit early and often
6. Utilize Electronic I-9 system for completing I-9s, which facilitates tracking and error proof I-9s
7. Implement E-Verify for all new hires

For a copy of the Aurico E-Verify Update, click here.