I-9 mistakes set to cost employers 96% more

have been increased. The minimum penalty imposed by the Justice Department for the unlawful employment of immigrant workers will rise from $375 to $539, while the maximum fine will go from $3,200 to $4,313. Violators facing multiple charges will be subject to a new maximum penalty of $21,563. The most significant increase is for mistakes or omissions on the Form I-9, said Mitch Wexler, an immigration attorney and a partner at Fragomen Worldwide, based in Los Angeles, who noted that “fines in this category go up 96 percent.” The new rules raise paperwork violations related to I-9 verification from a maximum of $1,100 to $2,156. The minimum penalty per violation increases from $110 to $216. “It is more important now than ever for companies big and small to make sure they have effective policies and procedures in place for properly ‘I-9ing’ employees during the onboarding process,” Wexler said. “This includes a regular review of existing I-9s and training staff that touch this critical function.” An initial violation for discriminating against immigrant workers can bring a new top penalty of $3,563 per charge, up from $3,200. The minimum penalty increases from $375 to $445. Employers, take note. Just a few mistakes can really add up. In order to avoid mistakes, it’s critical to have a clear understanding of due process and the legalities around hiring immigrant workers. Take a look at some of our other blog resources around this topic and connect with our team if you have any further questions. It’s more important than ever before to get these processes right – we’d love to help.]]>