The Best-Kept Secret to Defending Your I-9 Forms in a Government Audit

You’ve likely heard about the substantial increase in I-9 audits performed in recent months by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But what you might not realize is that ICE isn’t just targeting employers who are suspected of hiring unauthorized workers. It’s levying fines against employers, large and small, who fail to fill out their I-9s properly or complete them on time.

This means even minor “paperwork” violations can lead to penalties ranging from $110 to $1,100 per form – even if your employees are all authorized to work or you use E-Verify or an electronic I-9 system. These fees add up, especially when you consider a typical I-9 audit can reveal as much as a 50% to 85% error rate. In 2010, the average civil fine paid by an employer was $29,000, but several companies paid $1 million or more.

Also in 2010, ICE conducted more than 2,200 I-9 audits (only 1,400 were performed in fiscal year 2009) and criminally charged 180 business owners, employers, managers and/or supervisors (up from 114 in fiscal year 2009). As recently as June 2011, ICE issued I-9 inspection demands to 1000 companies, which brings the total to 2338 companies audited this year. And ICE has announced an ambitious goal to audit 10,000 companies for the new fiscal year starting October 1, 2011!

On Thursday, October 13, 2011, we’ll show you the best-kept secret to lower your risks, keep your company safe from government fines and penalties, and avoid personal liability. During our workshop, How to Conduct I-9 Self-Audits and Avoid the High Cost of Noncompliance, you’ll get basic knowledge, strategies, and hands-on training to conduct your own I-9 audit so you can demonstrate to the government that you’re serious about compliance. In fact, ICE recommends annual I-9 self-audits as a best practice and can reduce or eliminate your fines because you conducted an I-9 self-audit!

If you don’t want to be caught by surprise when ICE serves your company a three-day notice to produce I-9 forms, register today to attend this cost-effective workshop. Get a $50 discount –REGISTER NOW