Preparing For An Increase In I-9 Worksite Enforcement

After reviewing data related to time spent by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit on worksite enforcement, Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Thomas Homan issued a directive "to increase that [level of enforcement] by four to five times." A review of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI statistics from the prior administration reveals that the number of employer audits reached a peak in 2013 with 3,127 nationwide, but by 2016, audits had dipped to 1,279 audits (down 59 percent). The ICE directive comes just after an announcement of the largest fine on the I-9 enforcement record, as well as the White House release of President Trump's interior enforcement principles which include making participation in the now-voluntary E-Verify program mandatory. The distinct change in policy and the imminent exponential increase in employer audits have put I-9 compliance personnel on notice. Knowing some basics