I-9 Enforcement & Compliance: A 5-Step Plan for Employers to Mitigate Risk
Duration: 90 Minutes
Are you confident that your organization is in full compliance with Federal immigration laws, or are you at risk for being assessed costly fines, or worse, for potential violations? For employers, the seemingly simple onboarding form and online immigration verification system are a minefield of potentially costly errors – especially today!
Lawmakers recently approved a bill to significantly boost funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as Border Patrol, through the end of President Trump’s term. The Secure America Act allocates $38 billion for ICE, $26 billion for Border Patrol and $5 billion for unforeseen costs. Making now a good time for employers to take proactive steps to minimize the chances of facing an immigration audit or raid.
Too often, company execs and HR managers assume their I-9 compliance practices are in order when, in fact, their records and policies are littered with mistakes, leaving the business and individuals open to fines, lawsuits, and jail time. Are you sure that your I-9 practices can pass muster?
This webinar will provide you with a detailed five-step I-9 compliance plan and practical pointers to consider if immigration officials arrive at your workplace.
In this webinar, you will have the opportunity to learn:
• A 5-Step I-9 compliance plan for employers
• The risks of committing immigration violations – civil and criminal penalties
• How to avoid common pitfalls of I-9 employment verification
• Proper processing of each section of the USCIS Form I-9
• How to properly conduct an internal I-9 self-audit
• Practice tips you need to defend an audit of your I-9s by ICE.
• A 5-Step I-9 compliance plan for employers
• The risks of committing immigration violations – civil and criminal penalties
• How to avoid common pitfalls of I-9 employment verification
• Proper processing of each section of the USCIS Form I-9
• How to properly conduct an internal I-9 self-audit
• Practice tips you need to defend an audit of your I-9s by ICE.
· The I-9 internal audit process – find mistakes before ICE does
· The USCIS-ICE external audit process, and how to prepare
· Employer and employee responsibilities when completing Form I-9
· Common I-9 mistakes, and how to correct them
· Retention and storage rules for I-9 forms
· Proactive ICE Audit and Raid Preparation
· … and more!
You'll also have time to ask YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS about your I-9 processes
· The USCIS-ICE external audit process, and how to prepare
· Employer and employee responsibilities when completing Form I-9
· Common I-9 mistakes, and how to correct them
· Retention and storage rules for I-9 forms
· Proactive ICE Audit and Raid Preparation
· … and more!
You'll also have time to ask YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS about your I-9 processes
Completing a USCIS Form I-9 in a compliant manner involves navigating through numerous gray areas of the law and interpreting some often-conflicting and confusing instructions. What appears to be a simple form carries the potential for six-figure liability if completed incorrectly.
As USCIS and USDOL inspections of Forms I-9 have become more frequent, fines have become more prevalent and costly. It’s imperative that employers focus on compliance with Form I-9 regulations to avoid costly fines and penalties.
ICE changed I-9 enforcement standards in 2026, shifting how they will evaluate Form I-9 violations, making it more likely that you could be tagged with “substantive” errors that could have big consequences. Historically, certain I-9 errors were treated as technical and correctable, but March guidance from ICE now signals that some of these errors may be elevated to trigger financial penalties.
Form I-9 error fines in 2026 range from $288 to $2,861 per form for substantive paperwork violations. Fines for knowingly hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers range from $716 to $28,619 per violation. Document fraud penalties start at $590.
As USCIS and USDOL inspections of Forms I-9 have become more frequent, fines have become more prevalent and costly. It’s imperative that employers focus on compliance with Form I-9 regulations to avoid costly fines and penalties.
ICE changed I-9 enforcement standards in 2026, shifting how they will evaluate Form I-9 violations, making it more likely that you could be tagged with “substantive” errors that could have big consequences. Historically, certain I-9 errors were treated as technical and correctable, but March guidance from ICE now signals that some of these errors may be elevated to trigger financial penalties.
Form I-9 error fines in 2026 range from $288 to $2,861 per form for substantive paperwork violations. Fines for knowingly hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers range from $716 to $28,619 per violation. Document fraud penalties start at $590.
- HR professionals, and Business owners
Steven G. Meilleur, Ph.D., SPHR – is President, and CEO – of PRAXIS Management Solutions, LLC, a New Mexico-based management consulting firm specializing in human resources, employee relations, leadership, training & organizational development, organizational research and assessment, strategic & operational planning, and non-profit organization management and governance. Dr. Meilleur has more than 40 years of management and executive-level experience in human resources, risk management, and organizational management in the private non-profit public, and private for-profit sectors.
Dr. Meilleur also serves as Senior Vice-President and Risk Services Consultant for Human Resources and Employment with Poms & Associates, a national risk services and insurance brokerage firm. His previous work experience includes public, private, and nonprofit organizations, in executive and management capacities.
A member of the faculty of the UNM School of Public Administration in the graduate program, Dr. Meilleur teaches in the areas of human resource management, nonprofit organization management, leadership, dispute resolution, organizational change, and human resource development. He has spoken at numerous conferences and workshops across the country and is a published author in the areas of human resources, marketing, leadership and management development, organizational change and innovation, non-profit organization management, and board development.
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