According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a new round of I-9 audits will soon be underway. The government agency announced last week that it plans to audit the employment eligibility hiring records of 1,000 companies throughout the United States. ICE had conducted similar reviews in February 2011; this current initiative will bring the total number of I-9 audits up to more than 2,000.

I-9 audits determine whether employees at companies are authorized to work in the United States. After ICE selects a company to audit, it will send a notice of inspection, which will include requests to review I-9 documentation, payroll records, immigration paperwork, SSA communications, details about contractors and other employment-related information. Typically, ICE asks for such material to be ready for review within three business days.