According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), worksite enforcement activities by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and auditors surged in fiscal year (FY) 2018 compared to FY 2017.

Government worksite enforcement activities jumped from 300% to 750% in FY 2018. Specifically, worksite enforcement investigations reached 6,848 in FY 2018 as opposed to 1,691 in the previous fiscal year. HSI initiated 5,981 I-9 audits in FY 2018 compared to 1,360 in FY 2017; and made 779 criminal and 1,525 administrative worksite-related arrests in FY 2018 compared to 139 and 172 in 2017, respectively.

While criminal convictions remained consistent, those numbers are expected to rise due to ongoing investigations. While companies can never predict an ICE worksite visit, employers should regularly review their Form I-9 completion and storage procedures to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.