Form I-9 Verification

In November 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act created "Form I-9" for employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of their employees. Through the years, many changes have been made not only to the verification process, but to the form itself. However, when the issue of immigration reform became a hotbed for legal activity in both federal and state governments, the significance of the I-9 increased dramatically. Beginning in 2009, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), increased audits of employers’ I-9 records for compliance determinations. In 2009, ICE performed 52 audits resulting in fines of $1,033,291 and 444 individuals arrested on criminal charges. By 2011, those numbers had increased to 385 audits and $10,463,988 in fines and 713 arrests. Although exact figures for 2012 have not been released, ICE has acknowledged the fines for 2012 exceeded $10,000,000, Now, more than ever, I-9 rules and requirements must be a primary concern for all employers. Hale Sides is prepared to assist any business, small or large, with I-9 compliance.