GoffWilson Immigration bLAWg

Employers are being targeted nationwide for immigration audits by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since 2009, the strategy employed by ICE to reduce the number of illegal immigrants to the U.S. is to focus on employers. ICE has imposed a record number of civil and criminal penalties against employers who violate immigration laws. In FY 2010, ICE conducted more than 2,200 I-9 audits — up from a little more than 1,400 in FY 2009.

Employers can be fined up to $1,100 for each illegal employee, even if the employer is unknowingly hiring an undocumented worker. An alarming example of this – the clothing retailer, Abercrombie & Fitch recently incurred a $1,047,110 fine settlement for violations stemming from a November 2008 Form I-9 inspection of retails stores in Michigan. According to an ICE press release, “The audit uncovered numerous technology-related deficiencies in Abercrombie & Fitch’s electronic I-9 verification system. …no instances of the knowing hire of unauthorized aliens were discovered.”

There is no sign of concession as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues to target U.S. employers in an effort to control illegal immigration. Employers must be well-informed of their responsibilities and carefully execute internal systems used to manage the employment process. The I-9 Form is a crucial component.

Unfortunately, as ICE imposes a record number of raids, training for employers is lacking. As a response, GoffWilson has created the comprehensive training seminar, “Form I-9 and E-Verify: What You Need To Know.” GoffWilson also provides I-9 Audits for employers concerned with the state of their I-9 Forms, and training for employees who manage the employment process.

If your company receives a legal notification from ICE, you have typically have three business days to respond. Contact GoffWilson immediately.

Tagged: Abercrombie & Fitch, AF settlement, employer responsibility, fines, I-9 audit, I-9 Compliance, I-9 Form, I-9 training, ICE, ICE raids, illegal immigrants, immigration customs enforcement, undocumented workers