Today, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced a new “I E-Verify” campaign to promote the use of E-Verify and recognize the approximately 170,000 businesses which have already enrolled. The I E-Verify campaign will essentially consist of public service announcements, posters, window stickers, and other measures to make the public more aware of E-Verify. One such announcement is already posted on Youtube as shown below.
In addition to public relations, DHS also announced the opening of a new office in Buffalo, NY, with 135 specialists dedicated to resolving E-Verify inquiries. Enhancements to the system are also on the way, including a feature for employees to self-check their record with E-Verify before they apply for a job. Other compliance improvements will include:
Adding passport photos to the E-Verify photo matching tool
Verifying employer information against the Dun & Bradstreet database
Checking for duplicate employers at different locations
Monitoring employers who fail to meet the 3 day deadline or improperly use E-Verify to pre-screen employees.
The press release announcing “I E-Verify” can be seen here.
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the issuance of 1,000 additional I-9 Audit notices to employers across the country, focusing in particular on those providing critical infrastructure and other key resources. This number is on top of the 654 I-9 audit notices issued earlier this year. Speaking at today’s workforce symposium in Washington, DC, Assistant Secretary John Morton (of ICE) reiterated the agency’s commitment towards creating a culture of voluntary compliance through aggressive investigations and outreach programs. Assistant Secretary Morton also provided recent statistics, showing the increased level of investigations and fines. The following table illustrates the dramatic increase in worksite enforcement this year:
Enforcement
Since April 30, 2009
All of FY 2008
Form I-9 Inspections
1,069
503
Total Fines Assessed
$15, 865,181 (142 notices)
$2,355,330 (32 notices)
Final Orders
$798,179 (45 orders)
$196,523
Cases Initiated
1,897
605
Debarred from federal contracts
45 businesses/47 individuals
0 businesses/1 individual
In addition, DHS released statistics from the 654 notices which were sent in July 2009. Of particular interest, the ICE agents identified roughly 14,000 suspect documents (16% of all viewed); assessed over $2 million in fines; and let 326 employers off with a warning.
The press release announcing these findings (and the new audits) is available here.
