ICE is the federal division that investigates companies for immigration worksite violations.

Earlier this week, ICE sent out more than 650 Notice of Inspections (NOIs) to companies across the country. When an employer receives an NOI, it is required to provide ICE with copies of all employees’ I-9 forms and related documentation — usually within three business days.

The audits are only the first step. Even if ICE doesn’t launch a criminal investigation, companies with I-9 violations may still face civil fines.

Here’s what employers who receive NOIs may want to bear in mind:

• Respond to ICE promptly, even if you have to request a time extension
• Maintain copies of all documents sent in response to the NOI
• Avoid any action that may be considered “tampering” with documentation, such as back-dating or correcting I-9 forms, and
• Consider an internal I-9 review process to examine your company’s procedures.

You still have time to review your hiring and employment procedures and avoid the new, more expensive penalties that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has laid out for violations that take place the end of this month.

Here are the violations and the changes in penalties:

Hiring, recruiting and referring undocumented workers.
Old penalties: Fines of $275 to $2,200 per individual for a first offense, increasing to a maximum of $11,000 after two prior violations.
New penalties: Fines ranging from $375 to $3,200 for a first offense, up to a maximum of $16,000 for multiple prior violations.

Employing undocumented workers
Old penalties: Fines ranging from $275 to $2,200 per person for a first offense, increasing to a maximum of $11,000 after two prior violations.
New penalties: Fines ranging from $375 to $3,200 for a first offense, up to a maximum of $16,000 for multiple prior violations.

Unfair Immigration-Related Employment Practices
Old penalties: For unfair immigration-related employment practices, such as discrimination against job applicants or employees based on nationality or citizenship status, range from $275 to $2,200 per act for a first offense, increasing to a maximum of $11,000 after two prior violations.
New penalties: Fines ranging from $375 to $3,200 for a first offense, up to a maximum of $16,000 for multiple prior violations

Form I-9 violations
Penalties remain the same for failure to properly complete the Form I-9 or failure to retain the Form I-9 for the required period of time: $110 to $1,100 per violation.