Slim Immigration Enforcement Resources Leave Employers Hanging

Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed 1,360 audits of companies’ I-9 employment verification forms in fiscal year 2017.

In 2018, they are on track to launch 8,500.

But an ICE mandate to quadruple work-site enforcement could all be just for show, as so far there’s been no corresponding increase in the manpower and funding needed to complete workplace audits and manage legal challenges. As of July, ICE had already sent 5,200 audit notices.

Without any change, what’s already a monthslong process to impose fines on employers that violate the law could extend even longer if backlogs develop. That could give thousands ...