Tyson Foods has become the first major American business to partner with Immigration and Customs (ICE) officials in a program named IMAGE–ICE Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers.

The first step in joining IMAGE is allowing ICE to conduct a full I-9 audit. The I-9 is a form that must be filled out and retained on all new hires that specifies the documents (passport, Social Security card, etc.) used to verify the new hires' legal status to work in the United States.

The next steps in the process, after certification into the program, are to establish a rigorous training program in I-9 administration and to pledge to use the E-Verify online verification system to further establish employees' right to work in the U.S.

The agreement was signed at ICE headquarters.

“We believe our participation in IMAGE confirms Tyson uses best hiring practices to maintain a lawful workforce,” Tyson human resources chief Ken Kimbro said. “We use all available tools provided by the U.S. government to verify the documents of the people we hire. We’ve also gone beyond government tools, spending millions of dollars over the years on such things as training, computer systems and help from outside consultants to make sure we’re employing people who are authorized to work in our country.”

For employers everywhere to retain legal workforces and keep ICE agents away from your doorsteps, Personnel Concepts offers both an I-9 Compliance Kit and an E-Verify Right to Work Notice Poster.