Feds are forcing over 1,000 firms to submit employment archives for investigation. The government is cracking down on the hiring of illegal workers, mostly in the public safety and national security sectors of business. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiated an employment agreement inspection center to increase involvement across the nation. Fast food restaurants were the latest target. Federal representatives are warning companies of the provisions and documents such as I-9 forms to confirm an employees’ citizenship and ability to work in the United States. E-Verify is an electronic database of all hired employees. Currently, federal contractors are forced to utilize the program. All companies will eventually be required to use E-verify. The new restrictions will protect American workers from unauthorized workers who are taking many U.S jobs. These audits have resulted in many large companies letting go of hundreds of workers. Agricultural, hospitality, and food processing industries, dependent on cheap labor and have lost many employees.
The audits are more effective than the 2009 Bush Administrations sweep of illegal immigrant because employers are forced to eliminate every unauthorized worker on the books, not just the ones who happen to be present during a government raid. Any violations can result in criminal and civil persecution. Today, 11 percent of nearly 8million employers use E-Verify and the numbers are growing. However, many have argued that the use of E-Verify and cracking down on illegal workers is hurting businesses more than it is helping the U.S. economy.
It is important for your company to follow Federal rules and regulations of employment. If you are caught, not only will your employees be deported, you will be heavily penalized . Your business may not be able to afford and function with the loss of workers and detrimental fines. If you are located in the New York: Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Westchester, Rockland County, or New Jersey area, Metropolitan Risk Advisory is a workers comp insurance, business general liability insurance, and risk management firm that can help your company reduce its current and potential risks.