It isn’t often that immigration policies and employment regulations work together for the benefit of all, but the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program may be a standout exception.
Launched by the U.S. Customs Enforcement (ICE), IMAGE is a voluntary partnership program that aims to improve immigrant hiring practices and prevent unauthorized employment. In a time when there’s a lot of backlash against undocumented foreign workers, employers are being heavily encouraged to maintain legal workforces.
What is the IMAGE program?
Essentially, employers commit to a set of “best practices” in employment, agreeing to training on employment verification procedures and conducting regular internal audits of their employment practices to ensure compliance with immigration laws. This includes regularly checking I-9 forms and agreeing to cooperate with ICE investigations.
How does this benefit employers?
By following the guidelines and receiving training from ICE, employers reduce the risk that they’ll incur fines and other legal penalties associated with the hiring of unauthorized workers. Companies also signal to their investors and the public that they’re committed to ethical and lawful hiring practices, which can build trust.
How does this benefit immigrants?
The IMAGE program also benefits many immigrants. Those seeking employment in the United States can be assured that participating employers are committed to fair hiring practices, which reduces the chances that the immigrant will be financially exploited. This can give immigrants greater confidence in their job security, and the knowledge that their rights as workers in the United States will be respected.
The intersection of business law and immigration law can be difficult for many people to understand without qualified legal assistance. If you’re interested in improving your company’s image and trust with both the public and potential immigrant employees, IMAGE may be something to explore.