The article, “I-9’s Remain Employers’ Biggest Hiring Compliance Concern,” published in HR Dive magazine, observes that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification audits have increased significantly of late. The HR industry has noticed. I-9 audits have moved to the top of the list of human resource compliance concerns for many employers.

In addition to the potential human toll on undocumented workers and their families, the financial repercussions to less-than-diligent companies can be steep. “ICE inspections and audits have skyrocketed during the past two years, resulting in an unprecedented number of fines and arrests,” the article states. “From Oct. 1, 2017, through July 20, 2018, ICE and its Homeland Security Investigations arm conducted 6,093 investigations and made 675 criminal and 984 administrative worksite-related arrests. In fiscal year 2017, companies were ordered to pay a total of $97.6 million in judicial forfeitures, fines and restitutions in addition to nearly $8 million in civil fines.”

Amidst such concerns, TruView has streamlined the I-9 process for our Clients. Already a federally designated E-Verify agent, TruView now offers both electronic I-9 verification and E-Verify services integrated with our background screening platform. Now Client users or applicants can conduct the I-9 process directly on our platform, with features that include secure single sign-on, friendly dashboard interface, and customized reporting, alerts, and user permissions functions. Access is 24/7 and there is no onsite software to install or maintain.

Further, using a simple step-by-step process, applicants can complete I-9 Section 1 on their own through TruView’s platform. Error-checking algorithms ensure that the data entered is correct and complete. The process limits the amount of information a user enters at one time and prevents them from proceeding if any required information is missing or invalid. Two electronic signature options are offered: Click-to-Sign and Mouse-to-Sign.

TruView also accommodates remote hiring I-9 compliance. Forms can be completed using tablets, smartphones, or laptops. With TruView, the I-9 process is reduced from days to minutes. Most important, the system provides expert auditors, including former INS/DHS agents, who audit I-9s and identify errors, omissions, and discrepancies and recommend corrective actions. This provides extra legal protection and demonstrates “good faith efforts” to comply, should such proof become necessary.

For information on our I-9/E-Verify verification service, or any of our services, please contact TruView President Nick Auletta at 516.289.0273 or nmauletta@truviewbsi.com.