The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the fines for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) violations, making mistakes even more costly. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) increased the penalties imposed on companies for document abuse, discriminatory practices, paperwork violations, and more.

Document abuse is among the most common Form I-9 violations. One example involves the employer requesting different or additional documents despite the employee presenting qualifying records. According to the USCIS, I-9 regulations allow employees to choose the documents they will show. Form I-9 provides a “List of Acceptable Documents” to refer to before deciding what to give their employers.

Once an employee presents a document or documents, the employer must determine whether they seem genuine and relate to the employee. Discriminatory practices can involve an employer treating new employees or job applicants differently during the Employment Eligibility Verification process due to their immigration status. Here are examples of the increased fines:

• The fine for each violation of Domestic Abuse increased from $230 to $2,304.
• The fine for a first offense of Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices increased from $575 to $4,610 for each individual discriminated against.
• The fine for a second offense of Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices increased from $4,610 to $11,524 for each individual discriminated against.
• The fine for a third or subsequent offense of Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices increased from $6,913 to $23,048 for each individual discriminated against.
• The fine for I-9 Paperwork Violations increased from $281 to $2,789 for each Form I-9.
• The fine for E-Verify employers for Failure to Inform DHS of Continuing Employment Following Final Nonconfirmation for each applicable employee increased from $973 to $1,942.
• The fine for a first offense of Knowingly Employing Unauthorized Alien increased from $698 to $5,579 for each violation.
• The fine for a second offense of Knowingly Employing Unauthorized Alien increased from  $5,579 to $13,946 for each violation.
• The fine for a third or subsequent offense of Knowingly Employing Unauthorized Alien increased from $8,369 to $27,894 per violation.

I-9 Compliance 

These fines show the importance of I-9 compliance. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) randomly selects companies to audit their Form I-9s. As such, employers must ensure they comply to avoid penalties from ICE. One way to ensure compliance is by using an electronic I-9 management system.

This system guides employers through the I-9 process, ensuring employees completely and accurately fill out the form. It also offers digital and secure storage for forms and related documents. Another available feature is the optional E-Verify integration for companies that use the federal government’s verification website.

Streamline your hiring process with an automated employment eligibility verification and ensure compliance today with I-9Compliance.

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