As I-9 and E-Verify compliance enforcement ramps up at the federal and state levels, businesses of all sizes must ensure they are prepared for an audit at any time. Failing to comply can result in fines, penalties, and even loss of business licenses in some states.

At PointHR, we help employers stay audit-ready with a completely electronic, remote-first solution covering:

✔️ Original I-9 completion
✔️ Reverifications & Expiring Documents
✔️ Corrections to existing I-9s
✔️ E-Verify case management
✔️ Full Audit Services – Preparing you with our handcrafted strategies built over 22 years of Supporting Real Client in ICE Audits and Everify Audits.
✔️ State & Federal I-9 compliance expertise

 

Who Is Conducting I-9 & E-Verify Audits Now?

More agencies than ever are enforcing I-9 and E-Verify compliance, including:

✔️ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Conducts federal worksite enforcement audits and issues fines.
✔️ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Oversees E-Verify compliance for federal contractors and mandatory states.
✔️ Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Rights Division – Investigates discrimination & unfair employment practices related to I-9 and E-Verify.
✔️ State Law Enforcement Agencies – Many states have enlisted the assistance of state-level audits and enforcement of E-Verify compliance.

 

Real-World Example we have seen this year: Florida & South Carolina Crackdowns

• Florida now requires all employers, regardless of size, to use E-Verify. State-level law enforcement audits have increased.
• South Carolina’s SLED (State Law Enforcement Division) is actively enforcing E-Verify and compliance regulations for employers.

 

How PointHR Helps:
✅ Full audit preparation – Ensuring your I-9s are audit-ready before state or federal agencies come knocking.
✅ Remote E-Verify processing – We handle all compliance aspects so you can focus on hiring.
✅ Proven expertise in state and federal audits – With 22 years of experience, we are the oldest Employer E-Verify Representative Agent.

 

Can I Really Get Fined? Can I Negotiate?

Yes, I-9 and E-Verify fines are very real—and they add up fast.

• ICE fines range from $272 to $27,894 per violation, depending on severity and whether it’s a repeat offense.
• State penalties can be even harsher, including loss of business licenses (e.g., Florida and Arizona).
• Negotiation is possible, but penalties for knowingly violating I-9 or E-Verify requirements are difficult to reduce.

 

Common I-9 Violations That Lead to Fines:
✔️ Missing or incomplete I-9 forms
✔️ Failure to use E-Verify in a mandatory state
✔️ Not keeping I-9s for the required retention period
✔️ Errors in document verification or failure to sign I-9s

How PointHR Helps:
✅ Proactive error detection & correction before an audit happens.
✅ On-demand compliance reports to demonstrate readiness.

 

I Don’t Hire Illegals—Why Should I Worry About an Audit?

Even if you only hire legal workers, you can still be fined for minor paperwork mistakes. ICE and state enforcement agencies are conducting random audits to check for compliance.

Common issues that lead to fines:
✔️ Failing to complete I-9 forms properly or on time
✔️ Accepting incorrect documents for identity verification
✔️ Not following proper I-9 retention and storage rules
✔️ Ignoring E-Verify requirements in a mandatory state.

 

How PointHR Helps:
✅ Real-time I-9 validation – Ensures every form is correct before submission.
✅ E-Verify automation – Helps you stay compliant in mandatory states like Florida & South Carolina.

 

I Haven’t Started E-Verify, but My State Requires It—What Now?

Several states now require employers to use E-Verify, and ignoring these mandates can lead to fines, penalties, and even business license suspension.

States Where E-Verify is Mandatory:

📍 Florida – Required for all employers, regardless of size.
📍 Arizona – Required for all employers; noncompliance can lead to business license suspension.
📍 South Carolina – Required for all businesses hiring employees.
📍 Georgia – Required for companies with 10+ employees.
📍 Missouri – Required for public employers & contractors.
📍 Tennessee – Required for businesses with 35+ employees.
📍 Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Utah, Texas (state contractors), Louisiana, Idaho – Additional E-Verify requirements.

 

How PointHR Helps:
✅ Seamless E-Verify integration to help your business comply with state laws.
✅ Automated processing & record-keeping to eliminate errors and reduce liability.

 

What Happens if I Ignore a Mandatory E-Verify Requirement?

📌 Florida Example
Starting July 1, 2023, all employers in Florida must use E-Verify.

• Fines & License Suspension: Employers not using E-Verify can be fined up to $1,000 per day and have their business license revoked.
• Random State Audits: Florida actively audits businesses to check for E-Verify compliance.
• Enforcement by State Law Enforcement Agencies: Unlike before, state authorities now conduct audits—not just ICE.

 

📌 Arizona Example
Arizona requires all employers to use E-Verify.

• First-time violations can result in business license suspension for up to 10 days.
• Repeated violations can lead to permanent business license revocation.
• ICE and DHS regularly audit Arizona employers for noncompliance.

 

How PointHR Helps:
✅ Automated E-Verify case submission to ensure timely compliance.
✅ Full audit trail for protection against fines and legal risks.

 

How to Stay Compliant & Avoid Audits

1- Ensure all I-9s are completed properly within three days of hire.
2- Use E-Verify if required in your state or for federal contracts.
3- Keep records organized and audit-ready for quick access.
4- Regularly review compliance policies to prevent errors.
5- Partner with a trusted I-9 & E-Verify provider like PointHR.

How PointHR Helps You Stay Audit-Proof
✅ I-9 & E-Verify Management – End-to-end automation for compliance.
✅ Proactive Error Correction – Fix issues before an audit happens.
✅ Real-Time Compliance Reports – Be ready to respond to ICE, DHS, and state agencies at any time.
✅ Dedicated Support Team – Audit assistance & compliance guidance when you need it.

 

Get Audit-Ready Today!

Contact PointHR at 866-661-1500 or visit i9everywhere.com for expert compliance support.