ICE announces more I-9 audits in Florida, nationwide

Immigration agents are embarking on a new round audits business records related to employment verification. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made the announcement Wednesday that it is sending out notices to 1000 companies across the United States that the agency will inspect the companies’ I-9 forms for compliance with immigration employment law.

Miami I-9 compliance and employment eligibility verification attorneys are aware that companies must maintain accurate I-9 records and have an I-9 form on file for each employee with the company. This blog previously reported stories on the costs and difficulties some companies have faced over I-9 compliance audits.i

The recent announcement declines to name specific businesses or locations of the companies that will be involved in the new round of I-9 compliance audits. However, the current round of “inspections will touch on employers of all sizes and in every state in the nation, with an emphasis on businesses related to critical infrastructure and key resources,” according to ICE. The key resources reportedly include agriculture and food industry businesses, healthcare, transportation, water resource and other key industries, according to ICE.

The current administration has focused on employer I-9 audits a part of the administration’s immigration enforcement policy. The Obama administration reportedly has emphasized I-9 audits over workplace raids, which occurred more frequently under the Bush administration.

The last round of I-9 audits occurred in February. ICE audited 1000 employers during the last round. The current effort brings the number of company audits to a total of 2,338 during the current fiscal year, an increase over the same time frame last year.

Source: AP via Washington Post, “ICE notifies employers of coming audits to check for hiring of people working illegally,” 15 Jun 2011