HR on Thin ICE: Form I-9 Compliance and Worksite Enforcement

Webinar Info:

Date of webcast: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Time of webcast: 1.00 pm EST

 

There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required.

 

Speakers
Dawn M. Lurie, Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Phillip Santos, Implementation and Support, EMP Trust
Mahsa Aliaskari, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

 

 

 

ICE has intensified worksite enforcement, increasing Notices of Inspection (NOIs), unannounced site visits, and scrutiny of I-9 compliance. Employers must be prepared as ICE has broadened its focus beyond removals to increased workplace visits.

 

This session will cover emerging enforcement trends, targeted industries, and steps HR can take now to prepare. Dawn, a leading expert with 35+ years of experiencem, has handled major worksite enforcement actions and guided businesses of all sizes through compliance challenges. She, joined by Mahsa and Jessica, will be providing valuable insights based on these experiences.

 

Preparation is critical—HR teams should be reviewing I-9 processes, conducting inventory audits, understanding violations and how to remediate as well as developing a response plan before an NOI arrives. Employers using electronic I-9 systems must also ensure compliance with government regulations.

 

Join us for practical guidance on handling ICE visits, avoiding I-9 pitfalls, and aligning policies with enforcement trends. With heightened enforcement on the horizon, now is the time to act.

 

  • Key trends in ICE enforcement, including the increase in Notices of Inspection (NOIs), worksite visits, and I-9 audits, and which industries are being targeted.
  • How to proactively prepare for ICE enforcement, including reviewing I-9 processes, conducting internal audits, and ensuring electronic I-9 system compliance.
  • Best practices for responding to an ICE visit, balancing cooperation with protecting your business and avoiding common compliance pitfalls.
  • Strategic approaches for mitigating risk, drawing from real-world enforcement actions and lessons learned across businesses of all sizes.

 

EMP Trust offers comprehensive electronic Form I-9 compliance solutions designed to streamline the employee verification process and ensure adherence to USCIS/DHS guidelines.

 

The electronic Form I-9 software facilitates the preparation, e-signing, storage, and auditing of Form I-9s, providing features such as error checking, form guidance, audit reports, custom dashboards, and alert notifications. The solution supports both secure SaaS applications and installations within corporate networks, catering to diverse organizational needs.

 

To address the challenges of remote hiring, EMP Trust provides a robust remote I-9 verification system. This cloud-based, mobile-friendly solution enables organizations to process I-9s for remote employees efficiently. With a nationwide network of remote agents across all 50 states, the system allows employees to select convenient times and locations for document verification. Authorized representatives then conduct face-to-face interactions to complete Section 2 of Form I-9, ensuring compliance within the required three-day timeframe.

 

For enhanced flexibility, EMP Trust offers a Form I-9 Video Verification solution. This feature allows employers to remotely verify employee identity and work eligibility through live video interactions, simplifying compliance with recent USCIS updates. The intuitive interface facilitates efficient virtual verification, making the onboarding process for remote hires more seamless.

 

ICE has ramped up worksite enforcement, shifting from a primary focus on removals to an increased emphasis on worksite visits and I-9 inspections. Employers are seeing a rise in Notices of Inspection (NOIs), unannounced site visits, and heightened scrutiny of hiring and employment verification practices. This signals a more aggressive enforcement posture, with ICE holding employers accountable for compliance lapses.

 

In this session, we will examine the latest trends in ICE enforcement and what HR professionals should expect in the months ahead. We’ll discuss how enforcement priorities are evolving, which industries are being targeted, and how employers can prepareWith over 35 years of experience, Dawn Lurie has worked on some of the largest worksite enforcement actions while guiding small businesses through compliance challenges. Her expertise spans proactive compliance, defense strategies, and crisis response, making her uniquely positioned to advise employers on navigating this shifting landscape.

 

Preparation is key. HR teams should review their I-9 processes, conduct internal audits, consider full audits with counsel, and develop a response plan before receiving an NOI. Employers using electronic I-9 systems should also ensure compliance with government regulations. This panel will provide practical steps to safeguard your organization, including best practices for handling ICE visits, avoiding I-9 pitfalls, and aligning policies with enforcement trends.

 

With heightened enforcement on the horizon, now is the time to act. Join us to gain critical insights and actionable strategies to protect your organization and stay compliant.

Webinar Participants:

Speakers

 

Dawn M. Lurie, Senior Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

 

For years, Dawn has assisted clients in understanding and influencing immigration regulations and policy. By leveraging political insights and long term relationships with government leaders, she is able to effectuate change for her clients. Companies look to Dawn to deliver seasoned, strategic counsel as they navigate I-9 and immigration compliance legal risk in an increasingly difficult climate.

 

Dawn routinely assists clients in immigration-related government I-9 related audits or internal assessments, including electronic I-9 due diligence reviews. She provides proactive counseling on I-9 hiring practices, including immigration-related discrimination and E-Verify process, as well as monitoring and compliance matters. She defends employers in civil and criminal workplace enforcement actions, conducting immigration-related internal investigations and due diligence and analysis of I-9 issues in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

 

 

 

Mahsa Aliaskari, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Mahsa Aliaskari is a seasoned business immigration attorney and Partner at Seyfarth Shaw, bringing over two decades of leadership and expertise in advising multinational corporations on all facets of immigration and related compliance.
She excels in managing complex immigration portfolios—particularly those involving organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and workforce realignments. Mahsa’s practice includes advising clients through immigration related worksite visits, audits, and investigations.
Her collaborative style and practical counsel enable clients to confidently navigate immigration challenges and maintain agility in an ever-changing immigration landscape

 

Phillip Santos, Implementation and Support, EMP Trust

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Stay Ahead of USCIS Audits: Download our essential whitepaper

With increased USCIS audits and the new administration’s focus on illegal immigration, staying ahead of I-9 compliance is more critical than ever. Download our must-read whitepaper, Navigating I-9 Compliance in a Shifting Landscape, today to protect your business. Gain practical strategies, key insights, and learn the latest steps to simplify compliance while ensuring your company is fully prepared.

 

Don’t wait—equip your team for the changes ahead!