Recently, an agricultural company faced more than $100,000 in fines after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) auditors identified more than 100 substantive violations – each carrying a $1,100 maximum penalty. Not only did the fine impact the company’s bottom line, but the violations created the likelihood of more stringent oversight from the government and the possibility of steeper fines for future errors pertaining to an employee’s work status. The federal government has again begun to crack down on companies that employ undocumented workers, and the financial consequences for businesses can be catastrophic. Using this system essentially enters a company into a contract with the federal government, and a business must be aware of all of its responsibilities under this agreement. A business that fails to meet program requirements is just as susceptible to corrective action as a company that elects not to use the system.

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