July 1, 2009—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a bold, new audit initiative by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652 businesses nationwide. The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations. This national effort is a first step in ICE’s long-term strategy to address and deter illegal employment. Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This form requires employers to review and record the individual’s identity documents and determine whether the documents reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual. This new initiative illustrates ICE’s increased focus on holding employers accountable for their hiring practices and efforts to ensure a legal workforce.