Just before Halloween, IT services giant Infosys Limited was fined $34 million for violations of the I-9 employment eligibility verification process, making it the largest immigration-related fine ever issued.
An Oct. 30 Department of Justice (DOJ) press release announcing the fine said that "Infosys failed to maintain I-9 records for many of its foreign nationals in the United Sates in 2010 and 2011 as required by law, including widespread failure to update and verify the employment authorization status of a large percentage of its foreign national employees." An audit revealed that "more than 80 percent of Infosys's I-9 forms for 2010 and 2011 contained substantive violations." Each error is subject to a fine of at least $935.
In addition to the $34 million fine, Infosys is required to undergo additional third-party I-9 auditing for two years.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have systematically expanded its I-9 audit target base. I-9 audits have risen from a mere 3 in 2004 to 500 to 2008 and to 3,004 in 2012. ICE has also issued a warning that the number of audits will increase and "touch on employers of all sizes and in every sate in the nation. No one industry is being targeted, nor is any one industry immune from scrutiny."
Employers, need help with your I-9 employment eligibility verification record-keeping? Get a copy of Personnel Concepts I-9 Compliance Kit today before ICE agents come knocking on your door.