I-9 Worksite Enforcement Has Tripled. Are You Ready?

New data shows a sharp increase in I-9 worksite enforcement. Therefore, it's critical that your organization's Forms I-9 are completed accurately and on-time. The first step toward ensuring compliancy is through an internal I-9 audit. It can help you identify issues and correct them.

ICE I-9 Worksite Enforcement Activity on Rise

It's no secret that the current administration is focusing on immigration-related issues. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released the stats of their enforcement activities for the first nine months of FY2018.  Most noteworthy, the report shows that I-9 worksite enforcement activities have more than tripled compared to all of FY 2017.  Related arrests have also increased significantly.
Derek N. Benner, Acting Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), said the agency is "currently carrying out its commitment to increase the number of I-9 audits in an effort to create a culture of compliance among employers." As a result, the worksite enforcement strategy focuses on:

• Criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly break the law
• I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance with the law

"Employers need to understand that the integrity of their employment records is just as important to the federal government as the integrity of their tax files and banking records. All industries, regardless of size, location and type are expected to comply with the law,” Benner said.

Preparing Your Organization for ICE I-9 Worksite Enforcement

Performing self-audits is an essential step to help confirm I-9 compliance, so examine documents regularly to ensure you:

• Find mistakes
• Locate missing paperwork
• Make corrections
• Help demonstrate good faith toward compliance

Finally, performing a self-audit and then proactively addressing problems with your I-9s can have a positive influence in the event an ICE Form I-9 inspection identifies any issues. Although self-audits are not mandated, ICE and the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices offer Guidance for Employers Conducting Internal Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 Audits. As a result, this document can serve as a helpful resource as you begin the process.

Automating Your I-9 Audit and Remediation Process

Equifax can help automate the I-9 Audit and Remediation process through our award-winning technology. Our solution can help you:

• Quickly identify errors with our automated inspection process
• Eliminate remediation burden through integrated compliance insights
• Focus your efforts with our risk dashboard
• Streamline your remediation with smart remediation tools
• Guide your team with an intuitive platform

Register for a demo to see how our I-9 Audit and Remediation solution can help you find issues and then reduce your risk so you can take control of your I-9 compliance.