Don’t get sloppy with requiring and maintaining Form I-9 documentation for verification of an employee’s identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.
Audits and enforcement of I-9 compliance is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). Recently, the agency is increasingly pursuing enforcement against employers under the criminal code, rather than simply imposing civil penalties. The agency says the new focus on employers, rather than employees, is “to target the root cause of illegal immigration.”
Penalties: Poor documentation can cost you $1,000.00 per worker, and knowingly hiring an illegal immigrant can result in a $10,000-per-worker fine.
To sidestep potential legal trouble and discrimination complaints, follow these 10 I-9’s do’s and don’ts:
