Form I-9 enforcement has picked up. An October 2026 report from an HR compliance firm says ICE Notices of Inspection have risen by as much as tenfold since early 2025. That figure comes from a private report, not from ICE data, but the direction is consistent with what employers are reporting. At...
Until this spring, an employer who left a date off Section 2 of a Form I-9 could expect a short window to correct it if ICE ever came knocking. That window has closed for many of the most common paperwork errors. On March 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated its...
Employers with workers in Massachusetts have a new compliance deadline to build into their ICE response playbook. Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act into law on August 5, 2026, and one provision took effect immediately: employers that receive a Notice of Inspection from ICE for Form I-9 records or other...
USCIS has widened a tool inside E-Verify that flags employees whose work authorization has been pulled, and the change means a lot more employees could now show up on it. E-Verify first rolled out the Status Change Report back in June 2025 as a narrow...
E-Verify has historically been something universities, nonprofits, and other federally funded institutions dealt with only if they also held a federal contract carrying the specific FAR clause requiring it. A sweeping proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget would change that, tying E-Verify participation directly to federal grant funding itself,...
For many employers, Form I-9 compliance receives attention only when a government inspection notice arrives. By that point, however, opportunities to correct systemic problems may be limited, and small administrative mistakes can become expensive compliance issues.
As federal worksite enforcement efforts continue, employers should view Form I-9 compliance as...
Employers across the United States are facing increased pressure to carefully review their Form I-9 compliance procedures as immigration enforcement activity continues to rise. Recent enforcement updates suggest that ICE may now take a far more aggressive position when reviewing paperwork errors during I-9 inspections and audits.
Mistakes that...
Recent updates from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have significantly changed how Form I-9 compliance is evaluated during audits. These changes increase the risk for employers by expanding what is considered a “substantive” violation.
As enforcement activity continues to rise, employers should take immediate steps to review their...
Immigration compliance has become a major responsibility for HR departments across the United States. With government enforcement increasing and penalties rising, companies must treat immigration compliance as an integral part of their workforce management strategy rather than a routine administrative task.
Organizations that develop structured compliance programs are better...
Immigration enforcement in the workplace continues to be a major concern for U.S. employers in 2026. Increased site visits, I-9 audits, and enforcement actions have left many businesses unsure how to respond if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appears at their facility.
Preparation—not panic—is the key. Employers who understand...
