The U.S. Department of Justice’s new immigration enforcement directives impact employers by increasing penalties for hiring unauthorized workers. Employers must carefully navigate these directives, ensuring they comply with updated I-9 requirements, verify work authorization, and avoid discrimination. The guidance emphasizes due diligence and encourages proactive training for HR teams. Employers also need to monitor compliance with state and federal regulations to mitigate risks associated with penalties, audits, and enforcement actions related to immigration hiring practices.