In July 2009, ICE launched an aggressive Notice of Inspection campaign. Approximately 700 companies have been served with Notices that demand submission of Forms I-9 relating to all employees terminated within the past six months to a year, as well as all existing employees. The meatpacking, restaurant, hotel and service industries received the bulk of the Notices, which are continuing to be served.
Don’t look for a slowdown anytime soon, either. John Morton, the new chief of ICE, which is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, has told reporters that the agency will audit companies more frequently and will impose fines and even criminal charges on violators.