Preparing Your Restaurant for When ICE Comes Knocking

Ok, let’s be honest. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) does not knock.  They just show up.  With the Trump Administration’s aggressive push toward dealing with undocumented immigrants in the workforce, restaurant owners and operators can expect ICE to show up at their establishments more frequently than in prior years. With a large amount of relatively low-skilled workers and a high-turnover rate, combined with record low unemployment, the hospitality industry generally, and restaurants specifically are ripe targets for ICE I-9 audits.  This article will discuss the various scenarios your restaurant potentially faces when ICE does show up, as well as compliance advice.

The Notice of Inspection ICE serves your establishment’s business owner or manager with a Notice of Inspections by hand, demanding an employer to produce its original I-9 forms and payroll records and a complete a required questionnaire.  The questionnaire seeks information about the…