An example of what can happen if your company doesn't stay up-to-date with Form I-9's.
HARTFORD,
Conn.
– Following an investigation and audit of Form I-9 documents by U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), 12 Connecticut employers were fined a
total of $132,584.25 in fiscal year (FY) 2012 for various employment
violations. The inspection of the employers’ documents is part of HSI’s worksite
enforcement strategy that launched in 2009 to reduce the demand for illegal
employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation’s lawful
workforce. This strategy focuses agency resources on the investigation and
audit of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces by hiring
workers who are not authorized to work.
One
of the first tasks for any employer should be to begin utilizing an intelligent
electronic I-9 system to help reduce liability and to complete the process more
efficiently.
Employers
are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire. This form requires employers
to review and record the individual’s identity and employment eligibility
document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appears to be
genuine and related to the individual. Additionally, an employer must ensure
that the employee provides certain information regarding his or her eligibility
to work, on the Form I-9.
“These
settlements serve as a reminder to employers that HSI will continue to hold
them accountable for hiring and maintaining a legal and compliant workforce,”
said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. Foucart oversees
HSI throughout New England. “We encourage employers to take the employment
verification process seriously, as we expand the number of audits we are
conducting throughout Connecticut each year. My agency will continue to focus
its attention on employers that are knowingly employing illegal workers and
will continue to target specific industries and businesses known or alleged to
hire illegals.”
posted by Form I-9 Compliance News @ 3:12 PM
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