652 Businesses Sent I-9 Audit Notices
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Thursday, July 16, 2009 |
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U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a bold, new
audit initiative by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652
businesses nationwide - which is more than ICE issued throughout all of
last fiscal year. The notices alert business owners that ICE will be
inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are
complying with employment eligibility verification laws and
regulations. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal
government has to enforce employment and immigration laws. This new
initiative illustrates ICE's increased focus on holding employers
accountable for their hiring practices and efforts to ensure a legal
workforce.
"ICE is committed to establishing a meaningful I-9
inspection program to promote compliance with the law. This nationwide
effort is a first step in ICE's long-term strategy to address and deter
illegal employment," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant
Secretary for ICE John Morton.
Employers are required to
complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for
employment in the United States. This form requires employers to review
and record the individual's identity document(s) and determine whether
the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the
individual.
The 652 businesses being presented with a NOI today
for a Form I-9 audit have been selected for inspection as a result of
leads and information obtained through other investigative means. Due
to the ongoing, law enforcement sensitive nature of these audits, the
names and locations of the businesses will not be released at this time.
In
FY 2008, ICE issued 503 similar notices throughout the year. In April,
ICE implemented a new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for
illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the
nation's lawful workforce. Under this strategy, ICE is focusing its
resources on the auditing and investigation of employers suspected of
cultivating illegal workplaces by knowingly employing illegal workers.
The nationwide initiative being launched today is a direct result of
this new strategy.
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