"Amidst the excitement of a merger or an acquisition, the challenges of staying I-9 compliant can easily be overlooked, particularly since most attorneys managing the M&A process are not traditionally immigration or employment attorneys... Read More

"The complainant’s motion for summary decision is granted as to liability, and granted as modified with respect to penalties. Alyn Industries, Inc. is directed to pay a total of $43,000 in civil money penalties. All other pending motions are... Read More

Moral of the story: When ICE raids your I-9 files, hire an attorney. Based on published OCAHO cases, you may have the penalty reduced by 50% or more. Otherwise, if you go it alone - or rely on your 'accountant' - you may end up in Ms. Chen's... Read More

"[C]onsideration of the record as a whole persuades me that the principle of proportionality would be better served by adjusting the penalties to an amount that is still near the higher end of the mid-range, but somewhat lower than the $981.75 sought... Read More

USA v. Solutions Group, 12 OCAHO no. 1288, Oct. 20, 2016 - "The government met its burden of proving that Solutions Group International, LLC, is liable for eighty four violations of 8 U.S.C. § 1324a(a)(1)(B). Respondent is directed to pay civil... Read More

The OSC has been busy , settling two cases, one in Puerto Rico and one in California . And USCIS is floating a new draft I-9 revision for comment. Stay tuned! Read More

USA v. Ideal Transportation, Nov. 17, 2016 - "I find that in the exercise of discretion, the proposed penalty in this case should be reduced to $200 for each of the nine violations involving an employee with a TWIC Card, and $300 for each of the... Read More

"KDS is directed to pay penalties totalling $173,250.00." USA v. Ketchikan Drywall Services, Inc., Aug. 11, 2011 . Read More

"ICE is entitled to summary decision as to liability for eighteen violations. As to the penalties, there are both mitigating and aggravating factors. While Liberty is a small employer with no history of previous violations and the unauthorized status... Read More

"Presently pending is ICE’s motion for summary decision. While no formal response was filed to the motion, the respondent filed financial information as well as hire and termination dates for its employees as previously requested. The letter... Read More

Jan. 7, 2016 - "This is in response to your email dated July 27, 2015, to the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices ("OSC" or "Office"). In light of recently-issued guidance, this letter... Read More

From $29,452.50 to $15,000 - USA v. Kobe Sapporo Japanese, Inc . From $32,397.75 to $15,600 - USA v. Kobe Sakura Japanese, Inc . From $21,505 to $10,350 - Red Bowl Asian Bistro . Read More

"ICE is entitled to summary decision as to liability for 808 violations. OCAHO case law has emphasized that penalties should have a deterrent effect on an employer’s behavior and not merely be a cost of doing business. Emp’r Solutions... Read More

"Justice Department prosecutors, acting in conjunction with the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, have filed a lawsuit against a medical services provider with skilled nursing facilities throughout... Read More

[Full disclosure: my client, my case.] "The penalties [ICE sought] were then aggravated based on the large size of the company, but the remaining factors were treated neutrally, so the final rate was $981.75 for each violation, or a total of ... Read More