U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE AUDITS (07/01/2009)
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) July 1 announced that it is launching a nationwide audit of 652 businesses to determine whether these companies are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations.
According to an ICE news release, the businesses “have been selected for inspection as a result of leads and information obtained through other investigative means.” However, the release adds that “due to the ongoing, law enforcement sensitive nature of these audits, the names and locations of the businesses will not be released at this time.”
“Because ICE has failed to give any additional details, ABC is concerned that the unions may use this opportunity to target merit shop employers,” said Bob Hirsch, ABC director of legal and regulatory affairs.
ICE, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security, says that “inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to enforce employment and immigration laws. This new initiative illustrates ICE’s increased focus on holding employers accountable for their hiring practices and efforts to ensure a legal workforce.”
The 652 businesses targeted by ICE will receive a formal Notice of Inspection to alert them of an impending records inspection. ICE is focusing its resources on the auditing and investigation of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces by knowingly employing illegal workers.
