The New Rules of I-9 Compliance: Fines, Audits, and How to Stay Ahead
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What Every Employer Needs to Know About I-9 Enforcement, ICE Audits, and Audit Readiness in 2026
I-9 compliance requirements are changing fast and the cost of falling behind has never been higher. With ICE worksite enforcement on the rise, a new government Fact Sheet reclassifying common I-9 errors as substantive violations, and E-Verify mandates expanding state by state, employers face greater audit risk in 2026 than at any point in recent history.
Join WorkRight for a free, one-hour webinar breaking down the current I-9 enforcement landscape, the latest changes to ICE audit guidelines, and a practical framework for assessing your organization's employment eligibility verification program before an auditor does it for you.
What you'll learn:
- How ICE worksite enforcement and I-9 audit activity are escalating in 2025–2026
- What the new ICE Fact Sheet means for employer liability and I-9 penalties
- Which I-9 errors are now classified as substantive violations — and what fines apply
- How to conduct an internal I-9 audit and identify gaps in your verification process
- Federal and state E-Verify compliance requirements employers need to know
- First steps to strengthen your I-9 compliance program before an audit arrives
Take Control of Your I-9 & E-Verify Program
The rules are precise. Enforcement is active. WorkRight gives U.S. employers a defensible system that holds up under inspection and keeps hiring moving.
