If you’re a business owner, you know an I-9 audit is serious. If you’re found to knowingly hire and employ individuals who are not authorized to work, or you simply have errors on your employee records and I-9 forms, you could face serious penalties. In fact, just one violation can lead to fines anywhere from $375 to $16,000, depending on how severe it is. If you’re penalized and then found to continue violating I-9 regulations, you could face even harsher punishments, like increased fines, criminal prosecution, and jail time.
I-9 Audits Come Suddenly
The true dangers of an I-9 audit lie in its unpredictability. There’s no way to tell when or where an I-9 audit will take place. It could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, or it could happen 10 years from now. The only way to truly ensure you are ready is to start preparing now.
If you’re in Texas, you should take possible I-9 audits even more seriously. According to the New York Times, in 2011, Texas saw more I-9 audits in the workplace than any other state. In fact, it had nearly double the number of audits the second-place state had. (New Jersey came in second with only 37.)
This unpredictability, combined with increasing I-9 audits in the state, means you can’t delay in preparing your forms and getting ready for a potential ICE visit. If you want to prevent facing steep penalties and costly fines, the time to act is now.
Prepare for Your I-9 Audit Today
The Davis Law Firm can help ensure you’re ready for any potential I-9 audit that may come your way. We’ll organize and review your documents, determine any red flags, and help you fix potential problems before it’s too late. Contact us today to get started.