U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased activity, including in the Philadelphia region.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has increased activity, including in the Philadelphia region. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers gather for a briefing before an enforcement operation, Monday, Jan.
27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. “There will be enforcement actions directed against a small percentage of companies,” said Lindsay Eury, an attorney at the Philadelphia-area immigration law firm“ICE is likely looking at companies right now that they think and/or know are hiring undocumented immigrants,” Eury said. “Assuming that they can find resources, we do expect to see an increase in on-site inspections and audits for other employers.”E-Verify is an online system run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration that helps employers enrolled in the system verify the employment eligibility of prospective and current employees. “By cross-referencing information on file with these two government agencies, an employer can get a little bit of reassurance that that the employee is authorized to work in the U.S.,” Scott said. But, he noted, the system is “not foolproof.”in New Jersey and Delaware. It’s also voluntary for employers in Pennsylvania but it’s required for companies in the construction industry. Illinois, on the other hand, Scott recommends the system as a “strong safeguard” that can help avert “any blowback to the employer” if there’s an investigation. He also says to pay attention to, and act on, any red flags. “If there’s a mismatch that comes back don’t ignore that issue,” he said. “It may be just a simple clerical or typographical error, but it could also be something more substantive.”The I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form is used by U.S. employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of new hires. The form is required for all paid employees. “It’s a good idea to make sure you have all of your I-9 forms completed and saved and it may be worthwhile to again verify the information on this form with all your employees,” said Scott. Eury recommends having a single point of contact at your company who can work with employees on submitting the right documentation — such as a passport, permanent resident card, driver’s license — who would also deal with any potential ICE queries. This person should be trained on recognizing the different types of documentation and on how to respond to any questions from the government.as $27,894 per employee. Under U.S. law, employers who knowingly hire undocumented immigrants can face civil fines and criminal penalties, including jail time, if they are shown to have engaged in a “pattern or practice” of violations, according to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. “While punishing fines can be levied for hiring undocumented , fines can also be imposed solely for paperwork violations,” said Eury. That could include not completing the forms in a timely manner or failing to properly sign and date them.Whether you keep originals of your forms in your office or scan and upload to an online storage service, it’s important to keep all of your records available and well-organized. “It’s the best way to protect yourself,” said Scott.Form I-9 on file for the entire duration of their employment. For former employees, employers must keep Form I-9 for the later of three years after the date of hire, or one year after the date employment ends. Scott also warns that, when collecting and verifying this information, all employees must be treated equally.The federal government’s recent actions can be stressful for some workers. Both Eury and Scott recommend communicating with employees about the situation and fully explaining the steps being taken to minimize any disruption or impact to their job performance. “Some employers may want to consider making counseling available,” Scott said. “Others may want to help their employees by retaining an immigration attorney on their behalf who can help them understand the law or even help them file necessary paperwork.” Scott says many immigration attorneys can represent both employers and their workers. Many also have networks of professionals that can address specific issues and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. “Making this resource available will mean a lot to an employee,” he said. “It will show how much you care about their well-being.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DHS Expands Immigration Enforcement Powers, Allows DOJ Agencies to Act as Immigration OfficersThe Department of Homeland Security is granting authority to several Department of Justice agencies to enforce immigration law, marking a significant expansion of immigration enforcement powers. This move comes alongside the Trump administration's decision to revoke restrictions on arrests in 'sensitive' areas.
Read more »
Immigration agents seem to step up arrests after Trump takes officeImmigration and Customs Enforcement agents appear to have stepped up their detention of unauthorized immigrants.
Read more »
Conroe ISD Clarifies Protocols for Interactions with Law Enforcement Amidst Increased Immigration EnforcementAmidst heightened immigration enforcement in southeast Texas, the Conroe Independent School District (CISD) has released detailed protocols outlining how they handle requests from law enforcement agencies while prioritizing student safety and legal compliance. The district emphasizes that students are not required to disclose their citizenship status and assures parents/guardians that local law enforcement has not contacted the district regarding student citizenship or plans for arrests.
Read more »
Video shows ICE officers at Escondido family's doorOne Escondido family recorded video of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at their door on Sunday.
Read more »
Utah Law Enforcement to Focus on Suspected Criminals in Immigration Enforcement CooperationA Utah Department of Public Safety official clarifies the state agency's role in any federal immigration enforcement initiatives, stating that the focus would be on suspected criminals. The agency's cooperation with federal authorities, as outlined by Gov. Spencer Cox, centers on individuals involved in criminal activity. While state officials may contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they encounter individuals suspected of being in the country illegally during a criminal investigation, the primary objective remains apprehending individuals for state crimes. Utah Highway Patrol troopers will not conduct checks to determine the migratory status of people, and state law enforcement officials are not authorized to make arrests for federal immigration offenses.
Read more »
Texas Law Enforcement Agencies Face Challenges in Assisting ICE with Immigration EnforcementA new law in Texas expands the powers of law enforcement agencies to apprehend migrants and allows local judges to order their removal from the United States. While sheriffs in Maverick and Kinney counties express support for deporting criminal immigrants, they cite resource constraints and legal concerns as challenges in effectively collaborating with ICE.
Read more »