03.02.2010:  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is issuing 180 Notices of Inspections to businesses in 5 states ( Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas & Tennessee). The notices inform businesses that ICE will be inspecting their I-9 records for compliance with the employment verification laws. 

Last year, ICE issued 652 NOIs on July 1, 2009 and 1,000 NOIs in November 2009.  Prior to 2009, inspections of this level were unheard of.  Under the Obama adminstration, ICE has  implemented a comprehensive enforcement strategy aimed at  employers which knowingly hire unauthorized workers.  Under this strategy, ICE has focused it resources on auditing employers’ I-9 records.  While the audits are designed to identify the “bad actor” employers , employers which have acted in good faith can face hefty fines if technical violations are discovered in their I-9 records. 

To view the March 2, 2010 press release from ICE, visit the follwoing link:  http://www.ice.gov/pi/nr/1003/100302neworleans.htm