I-9 COMPLIANCE - The Responsiblity is on YOU! ARE YOU PREPARED?
I-9 compliance is on the front burner of our federal and state governments. Ballooning deficits and high unemployment have created a situation where our government is looking for additional revenue and the immigration focus has moved from the illegal immigrant to corporate America.
Since 1986, employers have been mandated by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) to complete I-9 forms for all new hires. Enforcement has been almost non-existent until recently. In 2009, enforcement actions have significantly increased andbased upon statements from Department of Homeland Security (DHS), they are ramping up manpower to force compliance by all employers, regardless of the number of employees. Read more.......
WORKSITE INVESTIGATIONS ARE DISRUPTIVE, EXPENSIVE AND CAUSE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY
In early July, 2009, the Obama administration and Congress moved aggressively to focus on increased immigration enforcement in the workplace, with ICE announcing that it would be auditing an unprecedented number of businesses.
As a result, ALL employers have now been forced to realize the critical need for taking immigration compliance seriously. It is therefore, more essential than ever for businesses to develop solid compliance policies that include tracking forms, training and audit procedures. Read more.........
BECOMING I-9 COMPLIANT IN FACE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 13465
Effective September 8, 2009, Executive Order 13465 went into effect requiring certain federal contractors and subcontractors awarded a qualifying contract enroll and use the E-Verify system.
The E-Verify rule also applies to all subcontractors who have a subcontract that flows down from a prime federal contract .... provided the subcontract is over $3,000. Read more........
FINES, CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR I-9 NON-COMPLIANCE ON THE RISE
Federal officials recently announced the largest settlement ever in a work site enforcement case. IFCO Systems North America, the largest pallet management services company in the country, agreed to pay $20.7 million in fines and back pay to resolve a three-year criminal investigation relating to the hiring of more than 1,000 undocumented workers.
John P. Torres, the acting secretary of homeland security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said it would “send a powerful message that ICE will investigate and bring to justice companies which hire illegal workers.” Read more......
