GoffWilson Immigration bLAWg

Two Virginia business owners were sentenced on Tuesday to serve 18 months in prison, forfeit $1.2 million, and pay over $110,000 in fines because of their involvement in hiring and harboring illegal workers. According to a press release by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bao Ping Wang and Trang “Tammy” Lu, owners of Hi-Tech Trucking, Inc., a commercial trucking entity, and SeaLands Food, a distributor of seafood to Asian restaurants, employed a workforce at these companies consisting of both legal and illegal workers.

In a statement, John Torres, special agent in charge of the ICE HSI in Washington, D.C. said, “ICE aggressively targets employers who violate immigration laws by knowingly employing an unlawful workforce.” As ICE continues this aggressive approach towards U.S. employers, it is of utmost importance to keep an accurately completed Form I-9 on file for every employee. ICE utilizes I-9 Forms as a means of targeting employers. A few tips to keep in mind as you ensure your company’s I-9 Compliance:

• Be sure you have the current version of the I-9 Form. A link to the most recent version can always be found on the left-hand side of the Immigration bLAWg.
• Be sure I-9 Forms are complete accurately and completely.
• I-9 Forms must be completed within the proper timeframe.
• Establish a system for retaining I-9 Forms.
• Know your responsibilities as an employer and/or HR professional.
• Keep up on changes and regulations regarding the I-9 Form.

For assistance with I-9 Compliance, or answers to specific questions, please contact GoffWilson.