The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning on ramping up I-9 audits this summer (shrm.org). Additionally, ICE also recently released staggering stats illustrating their increased resolve to curb illegal immigration. Only 7 months through the 2018 fiscal year and ICE has already doubled the number of workplace investigations over the 2017 fiscal year.
Between October 1, 2017 and May 4, 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) opened the following:
• 3,510 worksite investigations, up 105%
• Initiated 2,282 I-9 audits, up 68%
• Made 594 criminal arrests, up 327!!
• 610 administrative worksite-related arrests, up 255%
Compared to the 2017 fiscal year, which runs from October 2016 to September 2017, HSI opened the following:
• 1,716 worksite investigations
• Initiated 1,360 I-9 audits
• Made 139 criminal arrests
• 172 administrative worksite-related arrests
This increase follows the directive issued by Deputy Director Thomas Homan about 7 months ago calling for actions that would ensure U.S businesses maintain compliant with the law. “Our worksite enforcement strategy continues to focus on the criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly break the law, and the use of I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance with the law,” said Acting Executive Associate Director for HSI, Derek N. Benner. “HSI’s worksite enforcement investigators help combat worker exploitation, illegal wages, child labor and other illegal practices.” (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom 5/14/18)
This increasingly volatile issue has left many of our clients unsure of employer obligations when issued a Notice of Inspection. If you find yourself in this situation, please contact our HR specialists at VertiSource HR® today!
Need specialized with your I-9 compliance efforts?
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