Jul 02, 2009
Immigration Officials Issue Notices of Inspection for I-9 Audits to 652 Businesses Nationwide 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today announced a new audit initiative by issuing Notices of Inspection to 652 businesses throughout the U.S. This number is astounding; it's more than ICE issued throughout all of the last fiscal year. These notices have informed these businesses that ICE will inspect their hiring records to make sure that the businesses are complying with federal employment eligibility verification requirements.

"ICE is committed to establishing a meaningful I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law. This nationwide effort is a first step in ICE's long-term strategy to address and deter illegal employment," said John Morto, Assistant Secretary for ICE, Department of Homeland Security.

Federal law requires employers to fill-in and keep record of an I-9 Form for each person they hire to work in the U.S. the I-9 Form requires employers to verify the identities and employment authorization of their employees.

All 652 businesses that received Notices of Inspection today for I-9 audits were selected based on leads and other investigative information obtained by ICE. Names and locations of these businesses have not yet been released by ICE.