Trump Administration Doubles Worksite Investigations To Combat Illegal Immigration

The Trump administration announced Monday that it has dramatically increased the number of worksite investigations and audits to make sure that American businesses do not employ people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Immigration officials say they have launched more than 3,500 worksite investigations, already doubling the number of cases compared to the previous fiscal year. Similarly, 2,282 employer audits were conducted between Oct. 1 and May 4 (with five months remaining in FY18). Over the course of last fiscal year, only 1,360 audits were launched.

"An audit is a review of business records," said Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Danielle Bennet. "An investigation can include an audit and is conducted because of suspicion that the law in being violated and can result in criminal charges and/or civil fines."

A 1986 federal law requires employers to verify that their employees are legally authorized to work here. Employers have to document the eligibility of their hires using Form I-9.

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