Employers are required to verify that employees are authorized to work in the United States using the Employment Eligibility Verification form, or I-9 form, when hiring new employees. But, just as employers around the country have grown used to the long and wordy I-9 first issued in 2013, the federal government is beginning to make changes and clamp down harder on violations in several ways. If you aren’t sure if your I-9 paperwork has been accurately filled in and updated, it is time to contact your employment law attorney to avoid legal and financial ramifications.
On August 25, 2016, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved an update to the Form I-9 to be published by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have also increased the financial penalties for I-9 violations. Employers face various penalties under the new fine schedule as summarized below from the USCIS Form I-9 Penalties page:
*Table may not reflect the latest fee schedule. To see up-to-date numbers, click here.
When I-9 requirements are disregarded, you can very quickly rack up thousands of dollars in fines and even get six months of jail time if there is a pattern of employing unauthorized aliens. As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure your forms are fully filled out and up-to-date. In order to prepare for the new changes to the I-9, employers should conduct an audit of their I-9 paperwork to ensure there are no mistakes or omissions. Be sure to contact your employment law attorney for assistance to ensure that you are complying with regulations.
If you’re an employer and you want to make sure I-9 paperwork is up-to-date and compliant with regulations, call Amity Law Group today at (626) 307-2800 for a free consultation with our experienced employment law attorneys. Our Rosemead employment law attorneys will help you conduct an audit of your business’ paperwork to make sure you’re protected. We service clients throughout Los Angeles, including Pasadena, Arcadia, and San Gabriel.
Amity Law Group, LLP
