Form I-9 Compliance

Escondido Disposal Inc. fired 55 of its 200 employees last week after an ICE immigration audit found that those workers lacked proper documentation to work in the United States.  All new hires in the U.S. are required to provide employers with work documents within 3 days of hire.  These documents are required to be recorded on the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification form).

According to Escondido Mayor, Sam Abed, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been conducting more immigration I-9 audits under the Obama adminsitration.  He stated that as a result of the audit, "About 55 jobs that were occupied by illegal workers are now available for legal workers." The Mayor went on to say, "every business must follow the law, and we need to have zero tolerance."

ICE announded that it would audit an additional 1000 employers in June and it appears that they are progressing with those audits.  Before 2009, ICE used to focus on the illegal workers; however, since 2009, ICE has changed its focus to EMPLOYERS.  They are interested in who is hiring illegal workers more than the illegal workers themselves.  To support that mission, they have increased criminal prosecution of employers, owners, managers and officers that hire illegal workers.

For more information on ICE I-9 Audits and how to protect yourself and your organization, please contact us at 949-640-4949 or info@formi9.com

Labels: employment verification, i-9, i9, ICE, immigration, immigration and customs enforcement