.png)
It is no secret that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has upheld their promise to increase worksite enforcement operations during this Administration. Considering the federal criminal search warrants that were recently executed at seven agricultural processing plants across Mississippi in August, employers should be prepared now more than ever for the case of ICE showing up at their business next.
According to the affidavits presented to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi by a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent, the searches were related to the unlawful employment of individuals without proper authorization to work in the United States. As I said in a previous blog post, it is crucial that employers consider training on corporate immigration compliance and implement corporate immigration plans, policies, and procedures to develop a good faith defense to ICE enforcement, which can be done by using E-verify in conjunction with other ICE best employment practices. Although E-verify is currently considered voluntary for employers at the federal level, there are 22 states that have passed legislation mandating the use of E-verify to some extent. The list of these states and their varying regulations can be found here.
For more information on how to fully protect yourself and your company, register for a webinar through the Corporate Immigration Compliance Institute.
Business Immigration Lawyer
The information provided here does not constitute legal advice. It is general information regarding law and policy that may be applicable to your particular HR issue or legal problem. Information provided in this blog, or any of our other public posts, does not create an attorney-client relationship. For specific advice you can rely upon, please contact your attorney.