ICE Announces 1,000 New Workplace Audits to Hold Employers Accountable for their Hiring Practices

On November 19, 2009, ICE announced the issuance of 1,000 Notices of Inspection (“NOI”) to “critical infrastructure” employers across the nation. The businesses were selected as a result of investigative leads and because of the business’ connection to public safety and national security.

ICE’s Assistant Secretary John Morton stated: “ICE is focused on finding and penalizing employers who believe they can unfairly get ahead by cultivating illegal workplaces. We are increasing criminal and civil enforcement of immigration-related employment laws and imposing smart, tough, employer sanctions to even the playing field for employers who play by the rules.”

In July 2009, 654 NOI’s were issued as part of the new ICE Worksite Enforcement Strategy. ICE agents have reviewed more than 85,000 I-9’s and have identified more than 14,000 suspect documents, approximately 16% of the total number reviewed. ICE has issued 61 Notices of Intent to Fine, resulting in more than $2.3 million in fines. Out of the 654 employers who received a NOI, 326 of these businesses were found to be in compliance.