Glossary > Employment Law > Immigration And Work Authorization > Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)

I-9 Audits

I-9 audits involve a thorough review by an employer to ensure that all their employees have completed Form I-9 accurately and provided the necessary documents to prove their eligibility to work in the United States.

Example #1

An employer conducts an I-9 audit by checking all Form I-9s on file to verify that each employee has filled out the form correctly and provided valid identification and work authorization documents.

Example #2

During an I-9 audit, an employer discovers that some employees have missing or incorrect information on their Form I-9, leading to further verification and correction to comply with immigration and work authorization laws.

Misuse

Misuse of I-9 audits can occur when employers use them as a discriminatory tool, targeting certain employees based on their perceived immigration status or other protected characteristics. This is harmful as it can lead to unfair treatment, discrimination, or even wrongful termination of employees.

Benefits

Conducting regular I-9 audits can help ensure that a company is in compliance with immigration and work authorization laws, thereby reducing the risk of potential violations or penalties. For employees, it provides assurance that the workplace maintains fair and legal hiring practices.

Conclusion

I-9 audits play a crucial role in maintaining transparency, fairness, and integrity in the employment process by verifying the eligibility of workers to be employed in the United States. Protecting against misuse is essential to safeguarding the rights of employees and promoting a level playing field in the workplace.

Last Modified: 4/30/2024