U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE’s) Worksite Enforcement (WSE) program’s compliance, civil enforcement, and outreach activities are not as effective as they could be to support ICE’s immigration enforcement strategy. ICE officials did not consistently enforce ICE guidance, take timely and affirmative steps against unauthorized alien workers, and ensure the outreach program achieved measurable progress and was cost effective. We made four recommendations with which ICE officials concurred. Based on the information ICE provided, we consider the four recommendations resolved and open.
Open Recommendations
Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
Update the I-9 Guide to include minimum elements ICE officials must document in case files to justify fine reductions. | |||||
2 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
Assess I-9 processes and update the I-9 Guide to ensure it addresses risks and challenges, including:a. when employers make corrections to address substantive violations and when employers claim they were unaware that they employed Unauthorized Alien Workers;b. ICE’s ability to conduct follow-up inspections with limited resources; andc. when I-9 inspections identify individuals using fraudulent documents to obtain unlawful employment. | |||||
3 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
Develop and implement a quality assurance process that allows ICE headquarters to sample cases on an objective, periodic basis, to determine whether field offices reduce fines, issue compliance letters, and conduct follow-up inspections of employers in accordance with ICE policies and procedures. | |||||
4 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
Conduct an assessment of the IMAGE program to determine whether implementation of other approaches would aid in achieving its outreach goal and be cost effective, or if funds should be put to better use. |