ICE I9 Audits – Homeland Security Audits

Oberheiden, P.C. Is a Federal Defense Law Firm Offering Clients Nationwide Experience in ICE Compliance and ICE I9 Audits by Former Justice Department Prosecutors and Experienced Counsel

The purpose of this article, co-written by former Justice Department officials and distinguished federal lawyers, is to provide general guidance for ICE Compliance and on what to do and not to do when your business is targeted in an ICE I9 Audit or a homeland security audit. Despite all precautions, businesses of any size can find themselves in the middle of an ICE I9 audit. When this happens, caution is in order. Most audits are prompted by a complaint, not by the government’s own initiate. Disgruntled ex-employees, rejected candidates for employment, competitors, and other groups with an agenda to hurt you and your business are all known to cause intrusive audits and government scrutiny in terms of ICE compliance issues. Underestimating the force of such a complaint — regardless how ill-motivated and irrespective of how untrue the allegations are — is to first mistake to avoid in an ICE audit.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former Department of Justice

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA

John W. Sellers

Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice

Local Counsel

Joanne Fine DeLena

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Joe Brown

Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney

Local Trial & Defense Counsel

Amanda Marshall

Former U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Aaron L. Wiley

Former Federal Prosecutor

Local Counsel

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (OIG)

Michael Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Chris Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Don’t Gamble with Your Freedom. Hire the Federal Defense Attorneys of Oberheiden, P.C. Free Consultations for ICE & Homeland Security audits and issues.

Oberheiden, P.C. is one of the only law firms in the country that focuses its practice on defending individuals and companies in federal cases. Whether your business is going through an employment audit, you were contacted by ICE or Department of Homeland Security officers, Oberheiden, P.C. has the experience to provide effective and reliable advice. Oberheiden, P.C. offers:

• Hundreds of Federal Criminal Investigations: No Charges.
• Former DOJ Prosecutors and S. Senate Confirmed Attorneys
• Nationally Available defense and Trial Counsel
• Personalized Service, No Junior Lawyers

Federal court is not juvenile court. Just like you would not look for a dentist to operate on your back, you should not expect the best DUI lawyer in town to master the nuances and complexities of federal investigations. The federal justice system will give you only one chance and your selection of counsel to represent you in a federal audit can become the most important choice you ever made to protect your assets, your reputation, and your freedom. If you call Oberheiden, P.C. today, you will instantly experience what it means to be in good hands and to rely on proven and effective federal lawyers.

Steps to follow for an ICE audit (I-9) related to ICE Compliance

Step 1: Avoid Criminal Prosecution

From our experience at the Justice Department, ICE compliance and audit lawyers at Oberheiden, P.C. have seen how quickly a simple audit can turn criminal. Be it because in the moment of panic a decision is made to hide, conceal, or misrepresent information to agents (obstruction of justice; making a false statement to a federal agent pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1001) or be it because the managers tasked with the audit are overwhelmed due to lack of experience—various scenarios can lead to unnecessary escalation.

Consequently, priority number one in every case in which Oberheiden, P.C. attorneys are involved is to avoid criminal charges. Experienced federal lawyers know how to mitigate or avoid the chances for criminal prosecution by entering into a dialogue with the government and by implementing important remedial measures (see Step 3) designed to demonstrate good faith and to negate the impression of bad intentions.

Example 1: Lying to a Federal Agent (18 U.S.C. 1001)— Up to Five Years in Prison
Unknown to the general public, conversations and interviews with federal law enforcement (e.g. ICE investigators) are the equivalent of testifying in federal court. Everything you say must be 100% truthful or you risk a false statement charge. In other words, you cannot “defend” yourself by downplaying your involvement or representing, for example, that no illegal workers work at your company when that is not true. Similarly, you cannot withhold information that you deem disadvantageous because not disclosing material information is the same as positive lying. Recommendation: do not ever talk to law enforcement without your attorney’s approval.

Example 2: Obstruction of Justice (18 U.S.C. 1519)— Up to Twenty Years in Prison
Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, conceals, covers up, falsifies etc. an entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence a federal investigation (e.g. ICE audit), shall be imprisoned not more than 20 years.

Recommendation: Don’t destroy, hide, alter etc. bad text or email communications or documents.

Example 3: Harboring Illegal Immigrants (8 U.S.C. §1324)— Up to Five Years in Prison
Employing more than ten unauthorized employees may be charged as “harboring illegal immigrants,” which is also a criminal violation.  Under 8 U.S.C. §1324(3)(A):

“Any person who, during any 12-month period, knowingly hires for employment at least 10 individuals with actual knowledge that the individuals are aliens [who are not authorized to work in the United States] shall be fined . . . or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.”

Fines under this section may be up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for the company. This criminal statute requires actual knowledge that the employees were not properly authorized to work in the United States.  See Martinez v. Creative Concepts, Inc., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139044, No.  (D. Nev. Sept. 27, 2012) at *11 2:12-CV-277 (affirming that actual knowledge is required for criminal sanctions to apply).

Step 2: Don’t Just Produce Requested Files

Another mistake would be to simply produce the files requested by the I-9 auditors. After all, there is a reason why the government is interested in your files and your business. Identifying that reason is the job of your attorneys in an effort to have a meaningful dialogue and case resolution discussion with the government. Furthermore, only an identified error, for example in the HR hiring process, allows the company to represent to the government that remedial measures have been taken and that no future mistakes are likely to occur with respect to immigration employment laws. Among the areas to explore for your attorney are:

• What Is the Form I-9 Inspection and Investigation Process?
• Are there any I-9s missing?
• Who is in charge of HR?
• Who does the hiring process and how?
• Is the company using E-Verify?

Step 3: Corporate ICE & Homeland Security Compliance Program

Nothing is more powerful and more compelling to show your good intent to comply with all applicable state and federal laws than a professionally crafted and diligently set up corporate ICE compliance program. Because the government will not “x-ray” your brain to find out what your intent is or was, you have that proof in your own hands by being able to show true, documented efforts to do things right. Every business should have a “Code of Conduct” and “Employment Manual” and similar documents that outline and publish important policies and procedures, including rules relating to immigration status review. Here are some few excerpts from such manuals.

• Example 1: I-9 Form Policy: “SAMPLE COMPANY complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 by employing only U.S citizens and those non-citizens who are authorized to work in the United States. On or before their first day of employment, all employees are required to provide original documents verifying their right to work in the United States and to sign the INS Form I-9, all of which is required by federal law.  If a candidate cannot verify his or her right to work within three (3) days of hire, that employee will not be allowed to return to work until the documents can be produced and provided to HR.  As part of your on-boarding materials, you will be asked to sign the Company’s separate “Immigration Compliance Policy.” If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or any other issue, please contact our HR Manager at 111-111-1111.  To memorialize your question or concern, you are always free to send an email to [email protected]
• Example 2: How to Inform Workers about an Audit: “Government agencies and other entities may conduct audits or other proceedings in our facilities. We respond with openness and accurate information. In preparation for, or during an audit or investigation or inspection, SAMPLE COMPANY employees must never conceal, destroy, or alter any relevant documents or information.  Employees must also never lie or make misleading statements to anyone.  Employees must also never attempt to cause another employee to fail to provide accurate information or obstruct, mislead, or delay the communication of information or delivery of records relating to any audit or investigation or inspection or regarding any violation or possible violation of law or regulation.  If an investigator, agent or government auditor arrives unannounced for a non-routine visit, please notify your supervisor or the HR Manager.”
• Example 3: How to Secure a Worker’s Compliance?: “By my signature below, I acknowledge that I have been provided a copy of SAMPLE COMPANY’s Code of Business Conduct (the “Code”) and that I certify or re-certify: (a) that as a material component of my employment or association with SAMPLE COMPANY, it is my responsibility to fully read and hereafter comply with all Code legal and ethical standards. (b) my agreement to comply fully with the standards contained in the Code, all federal and state laws and regulations, all applicable international or foreign nation law and regulations and all other SAMPLE COMPANY’s policies and procedures. (c) that I understand that I have a continuing obligation to immediately report any actual or suspected Code violations (and any other concern) to any Company supervisor, manager or officer. (d) I am aware that violations of the Code, any federal, state, international or foreign nation law or regulation, or any other SAMPLE COMPANY’s policy and procedure may result in corrective action up to, and including, termination of employment or contractual relationship. (e) that I agree that it is my responsibility to fully read and hereafter comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Code, or any revision to the Code, and all other SAMPLE COMPANY’s policies and procedures.

Further Reading on ICE Audits

• Are I-9 Audits on the Rise?
• Should You Perform an I-9 Self Audit?
• What is a Homeland Security I-9 Audit?
• What Triggers an I-9 Audit?