I-9 audit alert: 'Silent raids' to affect 1,000 firms

To root out companies suspected of hiring illegal immigrants, the feds will conduct its largest round of employment verification audits in years. What are the chances your firm will be affected?

The feds are expected to make the audits public in the next few days and send federal agents out to as many as 1,000 companies to let them know they’ll need to verify workers’ employment status.

Audited companies will then have to supply the feds with I-9 forms (and other documents), which are used to verify a worker’s identity and eligibility for employment in the U.S.

While it’s unlikely the audited companies will be identified publicly, the feds may reveal the industries in which they operate.

In the past, agriculture, food-processing and hospitality industries have been major targets of I-9 audits because they depend on low-skilled workers. Sources with knowledge on the upcoming round of audits say a few regional fast-food chains will be targeted.

Some of the larger companies that have had to dismiss illegal workers due to the feds’ increased employee verification efforts include: Chipotle Mexican Grill; Abercrombie & Fitch; American Apparel; and Gebber Farms.