U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recently announced the results of a two-phase nationwide operation in which I-9 audit notices were served to more than 5,200 businesses around the country since the start of the year. During the first phase from late January to March 30, HSI served 2,540 Notice of Inspections (NOIs) and made 61 arrests, while in mid-July, HSI served 2,738 NOIs and made 32 arrests. The worksite enforcement strategy is aimed at criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly break the law, as well as the use of I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance with the law. Failure to follow the law can result in criminal and civil penalties, such as in Fiscal Year 2017, when businesses were ordered to pay $97.6 million in judicial forfeitures, fines and restitution, and $7.8 million in civil fees.
