For Immediate Distribution

ICE announces record breaking 375% increase since 2008 in I-9 Form Audits – $36.6M this year in fines and forfeitures.

Long Beach, CA, October 17, 2011.  Employers must be proactive regarding worksite compliance matters.  Immigration-related employment regulations are complicated.  The truth is, it’s difficult for employers to keep up with the ever-changing world of employment laws and compliance issues. Even if you have a fully staffed human resources department, many critical compliance issues can go overlooked, such as formal training, audits and executive oversight that end up getting bumped for more pressing needs.

If you keep putting off a Form I-9 audit, you could most certainly find yourself in the middle of a complex investigation or lawsuit that will take center stage very quickly, that could have been avoided with some basic preventive maintenance.

“Our clients tell us that they award our bids and proposals because we have a process that we walk them through that is strategically planned and implemented, easily understood and efficient – from getting prepared for an outside audit, followed by targeted training and policy review and development that ensures the establishment of a successful compliance program. Continued education and information is available through our extensive outreach via monthly newsletters, client alerts, blog and social media.  Our suite of services and solutions are comprehensively packaged to bring sustainable results to our clients,” explained Leslie Davis, Managing Director of Immigration Compliance Group.

Immigration Compliance Group assists their clients with developing and implementing comprehensive tools, processes and standard operating procedures that enable them to remain committed to ongoing employment verification compliance.  “The reality is that the odds of encountering a Form I-9 audit have skyrocketed because of a pervasive business enforcement climate,” she added.  Now is the time to assess your weaknesses and minimize your liability.

Press Contact, Leslie Davis

Email:  info@immigrationcompliancegroup.com

www.immigrationcompliancegroup.com and www.I-9Audits.com

562 612.3996

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Immigration Compliance Group focuses its practice on corporate employment verification compliance and US and Canadian inbound business immigration. Our team has a depth of experience in providing uniquely tailored services and solutions to assist clients in developing comprehensive employment authorization and immigration-related compliance. We conduct onsite and offsite partial and full I-9 audits for companies of all sizes, design training curriculum to assure that staff is knowledgeable concerning the management of their I-9 program, and we assist with policy development so that our clients have a plan and strategy that assures their compliance in a manner that makes sense for their business and evidences their good faith effort in establishing a compliant workforce.

The 2011 California legislative season closed on October 9, 2011, with the Governor signing numerous bills.  We reference in our posts today, the E-Verify and the CA Dream Act Bills (separate post below).

Other Bills that were signed also affect employers and employment law, such as, bills that greatly limit the use of consumer credit reports by employers, expanding the definition of gender under state discrimination laws, requiring employers to pay for health insurance coverage during the entire period of pregnancy disability leave.

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AB 1236 “The Employment Acceleration Act of 2011,” states in part:

Except as required by federal law, or as a condition of receiving federal funds, neither the state nor a city, county, city and county, or special district shall require an employer to use an electronic employment verification system (E-Verify), including under the following circumstances:

1) As a condition of receiving a government contract.

2) As a condition of applying for or maintaining a business

license.

3)  As a penalty for violating licensing or other similar laws.

Article 2.5. Electronic Employment Verification Systems:

2813. For purposes of this article, the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Electronic employment verification system” means an employment verification system that allows employers to electronically verify workers’ employment authorization with the federal government. This includes the Basic Pilot Program, enacted by Section 404 of Public Law 104-208 and renamed in 2007 as the E-Verify Program, and other pilot programs for electronic employment eligibility confirmation. The term “electronic employment verification system” does not include the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form or any other employment eligibility systems that are required by federal law.

To cite some of the reasons itemized in the preamble of the Bill as the basis for its enactment:

(b)  Mandatory use of an electronic employment verification program would increase the costs of doing business in a difficult economic climate. The United States Chamber of Commerce estimates that the net societal cost of all federal contractors using the E-Verify Program would amount to $10 billion a year, federally.

(c) California businesses would face considerable odds in implementing such a program. Employers using the program report that staff must receive additional training that disrupts normal business operations. If E-Verify had been made mandatory for all employers in 2010, it would have cost businesses $2.7 billion, $2.6 billion of which would have been borne by the small businesses, which drive our economy.

(d) Employers report that the cost, technological demands, and staff time that an electronic employment verification system requires to use and implement come at a time when they are already struggling.

(e) California’s unemployment rate has risen to 11 percent. The state must pursue all avenues in facilitating and incubating job development and economic growth.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state maintain the intent of federal law by ensuring that private employers retain the ability to choose whether to participate in the electronic verification program.

The Bill will render defunct several city and county ordinances in California.  We link to the bill.  Should you have any questions regarding re-tooling your compliance processes and systems, please do not hesitate to contact our office:  info@immigrationcompliancegroup.com, 562 612.3996.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday granted illegal immigrants access to state financial aid at public universities and community colleges, putting California once again in the center of the nation’s immigration debate.

Under current law, undocumented students pay resident tuition rates if they have graduated from a California high school and affirmed that they are in the  process of applying to legalize their immigration status. Effective January 1, 2013, AB 131 will make this limited pool of students eligible to apply for Cal Grants and other state aid.

The legislation builds on AB 130, authored by Assemblymember Cedillo, signed into law by Governor Brown on July 25, 2011. AB 130 makes financial aid from private sources available to the same pool of students. The two laws are collectively known as the “California Dream Act.”

“After having invested 12 years in the high school education of these young men and women, who are here through no fault of their own,” Cedillo said, “it’s the smartest thing for us to do to permit these students to get scholarships and be treated like every other student.”

The California Department of Finance estimates that 2,500 students will qualify for Cal Grants as a result of AB 131, at a cost of $14.5 million. The overall Cal Grant program is funded at $1.4 billion, meaning that 1 percent of all Cal Grant funds will be potentially impacted by AB 131 when the law goes into effect.  For more:  http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17268

Most employers think that because they have never filed an immigration case for a foreign worker, that they do not need to worry about their I-9’s or immigration laws. This type of thinking in today’s enforcement climate, is indeed risky business.

You may be at risk… What most employers do not understand is that employment verification requirements are governed by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”). The provisions of the law hold every employer in the USA responsible for verifying the identity and work authorization status of the employees that they hire. The means by which this is done is the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form that every employee must fill out no later than the first day of work for pay – this includes both US citizens and non-citizens.  We link to more information here

For Immediate Distribution

Immigration Solutions Announces Relaunch to Immigration Compliance Group and New Websites to Assist Employers with Business Immigration

Employers concerned about U.S. business immigration issues, as well as I-9 employment eligibility verification and compliance are getting help from new websites announced by Immigration Compliance Group.

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Long Beach, CA, September 29, 2011 – Immigration Compliance Group has announced the launch of its new name and websites to help employers faced with business immigration and compliance issues.

Their websites are located at www.immigrationcompliancegroup.com and www.I-9audits.com, and offer help with business immigration issues, corporate employment verification compliance, I-9 employment eligibility audits and training, as well as help in developing a comprehensive employment authorization and immigration-related compliance program.

Business managers and human resource professionals know the value of degreed, skilled worker foreign nationals, especially in the science, technology, engineering and healthcare occupations.  As the workforce becomes more global in scope, employers are increasingly learning that it is essential to understand and effectively adhere to immigration compliance laws and regulations.

“Employer immigration compliance is becoming more complex because enforcement through investigations and audits by USCIS, ICE, SSA and DOL is increasing.  In order to effectively deal with these issues and avoid the very severe consequences for non-compliance, employers must take the time to develop a strategy and be prepared in advance with an immigration compliance program,” explained Leslie Davis, Managing Director of Immigration Compliance Group.

“Immigration Compliance Group offers customized programs that meet the unique business immigration needs of our clients.  We provide onsite or offsite audits, training, policy development, and ongoing consultation and  compliance news and updates,” she added.

With the demise of immigration reform in Congress, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is stepping up enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the employment of illegal workers and fining employers for I-9 violations. These recent developments have made it even more critical that employers maintain a strong immigration compliance profile.

Press Contact:

Leslie Davis | Immigration Compliance Group | 562 612.3996 | info@immigrationcompliancegroup.com

Escondido Disposal, Inc., a refuse and recycle company and an E-Verify participant,  recently had to fire approximately 55 of its 200 employee workforce following an ICE audit when it was revealed that their documents were fraudulent.  The employer was not fined because ICE investigators found that the employer was examining the documentation to the best of their ability and knowledge.  This is noteworthy to emphasize.

Jeff Ritchie, VP of Escondido Disposal, said he was shocked to learn last month that 1/4 of his workforce lacked valid identity and employment authorization documents.  “We’re as vigilant as possible,” said Ritchie, noting that many of the employees were hired before the implementation of E-Verify.  “A big drawback of E-Verify is that it doesn’t go back and check existing employees,” said Mayor Sam Abed.  This is exactly the reason why employers must be proactive and have their I-9 records audited and train their staff, and then select a future date, and start fresh,  to go “electronic” with an I-9 program or E-Verify.

We note that the City of Escondido created a partnership with ICE in May 2010 in which ICE agents assist patrol and police officers in identifying illegal immigrants charged with crimes and consequently, Escondido-based companies appear to be more likely targets for audits.  ICE officials continue to state that they select businesses for audits based up0n tips and the type of business, with companies that affect “critical infrastructure and key resources” more likely to be audited.

For more on this story.

We have heard similar stories such as this over the last few years.  The charges against Taqueria El Balazo stem from a 2008 incident in which U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)  agents raided 11 El Balazo restaurants and arrested 63 undocumented workers, drawing the ire of immigration advocates across the Bay Area.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, they later re-hired at least 10 of the illegal employees after receiving written notification from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security investigators informing them of the employees’ identities. BIG mistake!

Proprietors of the restaurant chain behind Haight Street’s popular Taqueria El Balazo pleaded guilty to a series of violations surrounding immigration, social security, and tax evasion practices.  The owners  told the court they under-reported employee wages to the payroll company; they admitted that, based upon their actions, the amount of employment taxes paid to the Internal Revenue Service were understated, and admitted to hiring employees they knew were not legally allowed to work in this country. According to the plea agreement, between August 2007 and August 2008, they employed more than 100 illegal aliens.

Owners, Marino and Nicole Sandoval. are scheduled to be sentenced December 14^th and could face up to 20 years in prison and a half a million dollars in fines, according to San Ramon Express News. Sandoval’s brother, Francisco Sandoval, who owns and operates the restaurant chain with the couple, pleaded guilty to tax charges last August.

Taqueria El Balazo currently operates nine restaurants throughout the Bay Area in addition to its Haight Street outpost.

For more on this story:  http://www.sanramonexpress.com/news/show_story.php?id=4368

What do restaurant owners need to consider:

• Are you training your employees who are charged with employment eligibility verification?  How thorough are you when it comes to the I-9 process of employment verification?  It’s time to get serious about this.
• Have you been proactive and called for a Form I-9 Audit by a qualified and experienced immigration firm that specializes in this practice area?  We strongly recommend you consider this.
• Are you screening, coaching, training and counseling your employees to ensure compliance with immigration laws?

This is very serious business for all employers and is the major enforcement tool for the economic and political climate we are in at the present time.  The goal on both the state and federal level is to punish egregious employers and convince farmers, restaurant owners, clothing manufacturers, meatpackers and other employers to change their behavior.

Plain and simple, the national debate is heating up over mandatory E-Verify.  Some members of Congress seem intent on pushing the issue without taking into account the harm they will cause for American businesses and workers.  Now is the time to get your house, so to speak, in order.

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) reported that it had reached a settlement with Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services and its subsidiary, Industrial Services LLC (ISI) on July 21, 2011. The DOJ reports that Industrial Services engaged in a pattern and practice of discrimination while completing Form I-9 on its non-citizen workers requiring specific employment documentation beyond what was required by law.

The investigation was prompted after a work-authorized immigrant lost his job when he could not comply with ISI’s request to provide specific employment documentation beyond what was required by law.   Further investigation revealed that ISI’s Prairieville, LA office required all newly hired non-U.S. citizens to present documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security upon hire.  The company did not require U.S. citizens to present any particular documents.

ISI has agreed to pay $43,560 in civil penalties and $7,200 in back pay, plus interest, to the injured party.   Brand and ISI have also agreed to monitoring provisions, as well as training for their human resources personnel.

What employers need to know: You just cannot presume that the employees charged with  managing your I-9 program are compliant with the law and adhering to anti-discrimination rules and regulations if you’re turning a blind eye to your compliance issues, the consequences of which today  are severe and expensive – not to mention the bad press that accompanies such an investigation. Employers must accept ANY acceptable document from List A that appears to be genuine and that relates to the worker, or a combination List B plus a List C document.  Additionally, employers are not to require more documentation than what is itemized on the List of Documents for Form I-9.

Let’s re-visit ICE’s list of best practices that include the following as a reminder to employers:

• Internal compliance & training program

• Polices/procedures safeguard against discrimination incl. training

• Require I-9 process only by those trained

• Secondary review for each I-9

• Annual I-9 audits by external auditing firm or trained person not involved in I-9 process

• Written I-9 policy

• Protocol to respond to tips/information/constructive knowledge

• Maintain copies of documents

• Participation in E-Verify/SSNVS

We are available  to assist you with your compliance  needs.  Please visit our Employer Resource Center and contact us should you wish to discuss our services and solutions.

As of June 25, 2011, the Social Security Administration (SSA) began changing the way Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued.   This new method is referred to as “randomization,” and it’s supposed to prevent SSA from running out of SSNs in certain states.  Also, as the SSN is increasingly used by public and private entities in conjunction with other tools and processes for identity verification, instances of SSN fraud, misuse, and identity theft are also on the rise. SSN randomization will help protect an individual’s SSN by making it more difficult to reconstruct an SSN using public information.

Evidently the current SSN assignment process limits the number of SSNs that are available for issuance to individuals in each state.  Changing the assignment process will extend the longevity of the 9-digit SSN in all states.

So What has Changed About Social Security Numbers?

When SSN Randomization began, the following changes took effect effect regarding how Social Security Numbers are issued:

• SSA will no longer issue SSN’s based on geography (state and local area);
• SSA will eliminate the significance of the highest group number and will freeze the Highest Group List in time and will use the list to validate SSNs issued prior to the randomization implementation date;
• Previously unassigned area numbers will be introduced for assignment excluding area numbers 000, 666 and 900-999.

What you need to know

If you are using scanning programs that screen for bogus SSNs by applying the former rules of geographical significance, “highest group” listing or formerly unassigned three-number combinations, you would want to inquire if the program has been updated to accommodate the new randomization of assignment of SSNs.  It is also worthwhile to know that SSA has never assigned an SSN

• with the first 3 digits of 000, 666, or 900 series; and
• prior to June 25, 2011, SSN has never assigned an SSN with the first 3 digits of 000, 666, above 772 in the 700 series, 800 series and 900 series.
• SSN has never assigned an SSN with the 2nd digits of 00 or the last 4 digits of 0000.

You can find out more about randomization here For FAQ’s, here and here for an Overview of the SSNVS Verification System.

USCIS rolled out the 1st of many new regulations for comment toward transitioning from a paper submission process to an electronic one.   The new reg goes into effect 11/28/2011.

The new regulation revises more than 50 parts of DHS regulations contained in Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The regulation eliminates references to outdated USCIS benefit request forms and descriptions of paper-based procedures. In addition, the regulation removes numerous obsolete provisions of the regulations.

The public is invited to comment on this regulation and offer suggestions on further improvements. Comments must be received by Oct. 28, 2011. The new regulation will become effective on Nov. 28, 2011.

For more on the transformation process.