Company Audits: Following the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) five-day targeted operation in the Los Angeles area, the government served 122 notices of inspection (NOIs) to businesses and arrested 212 individuals for violating federal immigration laws. An additional 77 NOIs were served to businesses in northern California. A NOI alerts businesses that ICE is going to audit their hiring records, including Forms I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine whether they are in compliance with immigration laws. Businesses may face civil fines and potential criminal prosecution for non-compliance. In Fiscal Year 2017, ICE conducted 1,360 I-9 compliance audits, made 139 criminal arrests and 172 administrative arrests, and businesses were ordered to pay $97.6 Million in judicial forfeiture, fines and restitution and $7.8 Million in civil fines. Companies should expect more aggressive and targeted enforcement efforts and consult an immigration attorney to plan and implement best work authorization verification practices.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) News