Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
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The Contra Costa Times reports that this month over 1,000 businesses will face forensic audits conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Many businesses, e.g., those involved in the food supply chain, have been targeted because they are connected to public safety and to the United States’ “critical infrastructure.”
An audit involves ICE reviewing a company’s Form I-9s to verify employees’ identities and eligibility to work in the country. In 2008, fines increased by 25%, with the result that first-time offenders face penalties of between $375 to $3,200 for each unauthorized employee. In 2009, ICE has ordered companies to pay $800,000 in fines, more than four times the amount imposed in 2008.
Photo credit: Tom Ventura