Implementation of E-Verify System for Federal Contractors Delayed…Again
January 28th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
The federal regulation making enrollment and participation in E-Verify mandatory for certain federal contractors has been postponed… again. The regulation was originally scheduled to take effect on January 15, 2009; this date was pushed back to February 20, 2009. With the Obama Administration reviewing many of the pending regulations left over from the Bush Administration, it appears the start date now has been pushed back 90 days to May 21, 2009. Notification of this change is scheduled to appear in the Federal Register on January 30, 2009; GoffWilson will finalize this announcement at that time.
The delay in implementation of this rule provides a valuable opportunity for employers to make sure they are fully compliant with I-9 rules and procedures before enrolling in E-Verify. To learn more about the auditing and training services offered by GoffWilson, or for more information on the new regulation, please GoffWilson.com or call (603) 228-1277.
7 Managment Officials – Indicted on Federal Immigration Charges
January 28th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
On January 23, 2009, seven management officials of IFCO Systems of America, a pallet company, were indicted on federal criminal immigration charges. This brings the total number of criminally charged management officials (including two Vice Presidents) to sixteen; nine have pled guilty.
In addition, in December IFCO agreed to nearly $21 million in fines and civil forfeitures, “ the largest settlement amount ever in a work site enforcement case,” according to John P. Torres, Acting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for ICE. These penalties were the result of the April 19, 2006 raids of 40 IFCO plants in 26 states.
With the potential for criminal charges and hefty monetary fines it is important employers stay up to date with the latest I-9 and worksite enforcement developments – compliance is key! Please contact us for information regarding I-9 audits and training.
ICE press releases:
ICE Partners with the Environmental Protection Agency
January 26th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – working alongside the Environmental Protection Agency – raided a recycling company in Colorado on Friday January 23rd. The raid was part of an investigation into the alleged illegal export of hazardous waste. This latest raid serves as yet another example of ICE partnering with various government agencies in their worksite enforcement efforts.
Read the full Denver Post article.
Implementation of E-Verify System for Federal Contractors Delayed until February 20, 2009
January 14th, 2009 § 1 Comment
On January 7, 2009, the Department of Justice suspended the rule requiring federal contractors to use E-Verify as employment eligibility verification system and to electronically re-verify employees working on existing contracts, which was to have become effective on January 15, 2009. The final rule, issued pursuant to an Executive Order 12989, is suspended until February 20, 2009 as a result of a legal challenge by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and four other associations.
Kentucky Business Owner Sentenced to 8 Months After An ICE Investigation
January 12th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
A Kentucky Restaurant owner was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for knowingly employing at least 10 undocumented individuals. The investigation into the matter began in December 2006 and culminated with ICE agents raiding the Jumbo Buffet restaurant on November 14, 2007. Six aliens who were working at the restaurant at the time of the raid have been deported, and was $59,000 seized during the raid has been forfeited to the United States. The restaurant owner is a legal resident of the U.S. but may face deportation after serving his sentence.
This is yet another example of ICE’s enhanced efforts. According to the ICE press release, business owners, managers, supervisors and human resource employees made up more than 10% of those criminally charged in worksite enforcement investigations in 2008. With big changes occurring in the world of I-9s and worksite enforcement, it is important employers stay up to date in order to remain compliant.
New E-Verify Rule: Effective January 15, 2009
January 8th, 2009 § 3 Comments
E-Verify, a voluntary program administered by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired workers. Effective January 15, 2009, the federal government will be inserting language into federal contracts that requires contractors to enroll in E-Verify. All federal contractors and subcontractors with qualifying contracts will be required to enroll and use the E-Verify system. An employer has a qualifying federal contract if:
- The contract is governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR);
- The period of performance is longer than 120 days;
- The contract has a simplified acquisition threshold of over $100,000 or is a subcontract for services or for construction with a value over $3,000; and
- The work is being performed in the U.S.
