ICE delivers audit notices

-Source-ICE Newsroom- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced Tuesday the results of a two-phase nationwide operation in which I-9 audit notices were served to more than 5200 businesses around the country since January. A notice of inspection (NOI) informs business owners that ICE is going to audit their hiring records to determine whether they are complying with existing law. From July 16 to 20 the second phase of the operation HSI served 2738 NOIs and made 32 arrests. During the first phase of the operation Jan. 29 to March 30 HSI served 2540 NOIs and made 61 arrests. This is not a victimless crime" said Derek N. Benner Acting Executive Associate Director for HSI. Unauthorized workers often use stolen identities of legal U.S. workers which can significantly impact the identity theft victims credit medical records and other aspects of their everyday life." While the agency routinely conducts worksite investigations to uphold federal law HSI is currently carrying out its commitment to increase the number of I-9 audits in an effort to create a culture of compliance among employers according to Benner. HSIs worksite enforcement strategy focuses on the criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly break the law and the use of I-9 audits and civil fines to encourage compliance with the law. HSIs worksite enforcement investigators help combat worker exploitation illegal wages child labor and other illegal practices. HSIs worksite enforcement investigations often involve additional criminal activity such as alien smuggling human trafficking money laundering document fraud worker exploitation and/or substandard wage and working conditions.