Ice Is Turning The Heat Up

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) intensifiedor Social Security numberverification systems for
its nationwidepush to dramatically increase efforts toemployment authorization.
combat unlawful employment ofillegal aliens. On March• Employer Handbook: Order the Immigration
11th, ICE arrested 29 undocumented workers attwoEnforcement: I-9
Maryland restaurants.Compliance Handbook
According to William Winter, ICE special agent inEmployers Should Develop a Hiring Protocol
charge of Baltimore,   1. Form I-9: New hires should complete the Form
"Today's enforcement action is part of a multi-phasedI-9 and provideemployment eligibility documents
approach utilized byAFTER the decision to hire is made and
ICE to ensure that employers are held accountable forBEFORE the first day of work.
maintaining a legalworkforce. ICE is committed to   2. Start Date: Under no circumstances should new
investigating employers who engage inillegalhires start work or beplaced on the payroll prior to
employment schemes that utilize illegal labor to makecompleting Form I-9 and providingacceptable
an unlawfulprofit and give them an unfair advantagedocuments.
over businesses that operatelawfully."   3. Three Business Days: Hiring manager should
There is no time like the present to adopt "bestfully complete Section 2of the Form I-9 within 3
practices" to protect yourcompany. Here is a partial listbusiness days of the hire.
of employment eligibility actions employersshould   4. E-Verify: Copies of the Form I-9 and supporting
implement.documents shouldimmediately be entered in E-Verify,
• Review your Form I-9 records NOW: Detect anythe Internet-based, U.S. governmentemployment
errors on forms forcurrent employees; know the mostverification system.
common mistakes.Allott's SMART TIP: Avoid Discrimination Claims
• Correct Form I-9s: Correct old forms with errors.Before Hiring: A prospect should not complete the
• 3rd Party Form I-9 Audit: A comprehensive 3rdForm I-9 before thehiring decision because an
party audit of your I-9records will help determine if youremployer who chooses not to hire an individualmay be
Form I-9 procedures meet federalstandards.accused of discrimination based on data received on
• Document Requirements: Know which IDthe form.
employment eligibilitydocuments are acceptable andBE PROACTIVE. Do not take a "head in the sand"
which are not. For example - Do NOTaccept a U.S.approach to Form I-9compliance. In the event of an
passport that does not have a cover.ICE inspection you want to be prepared.
• Employment Verification Systems: Use E-Verify