I-9 Audits & ICE Workplace Raids: What Employers Must Do to Stay Compliant

Overview:

With the Trump administration now in office, immigration enforcement has swiftly escalated, sending ripples through industries that rely on a nonprofessional workforce. Employers in manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, construction, and hospitality are facing heightened scrutiny as the administration follows through on its promise of mass deportations and workplace audits. The first few months have already seen a surge in enforcement activity, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issuing thousands of Notices of Inspection (NOIs), increasing I-9 audits, and deploying a growing team of agents to scrutinize employer records.

For decades, businesses have been required to verify employee work authorization using Form I-9, but the system has long been plagued by fraudulent documentation and identity theft. Even the government’s electronic verification system, E-Verify, while useful, is not foolproof—counterfeit documents tied to stolen identities of real U.S. citizens and lawful residents can still pass validation. With ICE quadrupling worksite inspections, employers face a higher risk of audits and raids that could result in crippling fines, reputational damage, and sudden workforce losses.

Under the current enforcement push, ICE’s worksite inspections can occur with little notice. Upon arrival, agents may issue a subpoena demanding that an employer turn over critical records within just three days, including payroll and tax documents, historical worker lists, I-9 forms, and staffing vendor information. Employers who are found to have errors—whether in document retention, verification procedures, or hiring practices—face fines ranging from $300 to $30,000 per worker. Additionally, even minor noncompliance with electronic storage requirements for I-9 forms can lead to penalties. Companies that knowingly employ unauthorized workers risk not only financial penalties but also potential debarment from federal contracts and even criminal prosecution.

What many employers underestimate, however, is the operational and financial chaos that follows a government enforcement action. Even when businesses act in good faith, they can face what ICE calls a "silent raid," where an audit alone leads to a sudden loss of employees, creating severe labor shortages and workflow disruptions. Employers are often given just ten days to correct errors on I-9 forms, but ICE’s broad interpretation of "substantive errors" means that many violations cannot be rectified to avoid fines. A single misstep in compliance can bring severe consequences—making proactive preparation critical.

Adding to the complexity, the administration is moving aggressively to revoke protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which could further shrink the available workforce and increase enforcement risks for employers. Meanwhile, some states are pushing back with their own policies, adding another layer of legal uncertainty to an already volatile environment.

This webinar will provide essential insights and practical strategies for employers, HR professionals, and compliance officers to protect their businesses. Attendees will learn how to conduct internal I-9 audits to detect and correct compliance gaps, understand the key differences between silent and forced workplace raids, and implement best practices for I-9 verification, storage, and record-keeping to withstand federal scrutiny. Additionally, the session will offer guidance on mitigating ICE enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as hospitals, schools, and places of worship, while developing a legally sound immigration compliance policy.

Given the current political and enforcement landscape, compliance is no longer just a best practice—it’s a necessity. With worksite enforcement now a priority, businesses must act swiftly to safeguard their operations, workforce, and bottom line. This webinar will provide the knowledge and tools needed to navigate these challenges effectively and ensure that employers remain ahead of the curve in an era of intensified immigration enforcement.

Areas covered in the session:

• Learn how to conduct an I-9 internal audit to reduce errors and comply with ICE
• Learn how to Make sure I-9 verification, storage, and destruction are being handled meticulously at all sites.
• Learn the differences between Silent Raids and Forced Raids
• Learn how to Internally audit I-9s to find and fix patterns of errors.
• Learn how enrolling in E-Verify can reduce ICE fines and penalties
• Learn how to Evaluate recruiting patterns to detect systematic improprieties.
• Learn how to conduct an internal audit to avoid ICE audits
• Learn how to prepare an immigration component to the employer’s legal compliance policy.
• Learn how to mitigate raids by ICE to sensitive locations like hospitals, places of worship and schools

Why should you attend?

With ICE ramping up worksite inspections and I-9 audits, employers must ensure that their hiring and record-keeping practices are airtight. This webinar provides the knowledge and tools to proactively strengthen compliance, helping businesses avoid disruptions and maintain workforce stability in an era of heightened scrutiny.

Attending this session will equip you with a step-by-step approach to conducting internal I-9 audits, identifying vulnerabilities before they become costly liabilities. You’ll gain insights into how ICE investigations unfold, what documents they typically request, and how to prepare your business to respond effectively. Beyond compliance, this webinar will also explore how to integrate immigration enforcement readiness into your broader HR and legal strategy, ensuring long-term workforce security.

This session will provide the latest best practices for I-9 verification, storage, and audits, giving you the confidence to navigate evolving immigration policies and protect your organization from operational and reputational risks.

Who will benefit?

Employers across various industries must be prepared for increased immigration enforcement, making it crucial for professionals involved in hiring, workforce compliance, and legal risk management to stay ahead of evolving I-9 regulations. This webinar is particularly beneficial for those responsible for ensuring proper documentation, conducting audits, and mitigating the risks associated with ICE inspections, including:

• HR Managers and Directors
• Compliance Officers
• Corporate Counsel and Employment Attorneys
• Business Owners and Executives
• Hiring Managers and Recruiters
• Payroll and Benefits Administrators
• Operations and Risk Management Professionals
• Government Contractors and Federal Compliance Officers