Employment Verification

I-9 Compliance

The I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form has been an essential part of new employee paperwork for over twenty years, but until recently, little attention had been given to enforcing the rules. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in connection with other law enforcement agencies, have made worksite enforcement one of the main weapons in the Administration's arsenal against illegal immigration. While in the past, employers may have faced minimal administrative fines for violations, the government is now levying heftier fines and criminal indictments against employers, hiring managers, and business owners. Mr. Mantle advises small and medium-sized businesses on I-9 compliance issues and best hiring practices, and also assists in implementing electronic I-9 systems.

E-Verify Consulting

To help employers comply with employment eligibility verification rules, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has developed on online electronic verification program - E-Verify. Participating employers enter key information from the completed I-9 form, and receive prompt feedback on the employee's eligibility for work, based on Department of Homeland Security records and Social Security Administration records. Although the program is still voluntary in most states, several states have passed laws mandating employers to participate in E-Verify. The Administration has also made E-Verify mandatory for all new federal contracts, and is taking additional measures to encourage all employers to participate. Mr. Mantle advises employers on the merits of the E-Verify program, and provides detailed guidance on registration requirements and related issues.