Notices of Inspection have been sent by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to 1,000 employers across the country associated with critical infrastructure, informing business owners that ICE will audit their hiring records to determine compliance with employment eligibility verification laws.

According to ICE, the businesses served with audit notices were selected for inspection as a result of investigative leads and intelligence and because of the business’ connection to public safety and national security. Audits involve a comprehensive review of Form I-9, which employers are required to complete and retain for each individual hired in the United States. I-9 forms require employers to review and record each individual’s identity and work eligibility documents and determine whether the documents reasonably appear to be genuine and related to that specific individual.

Audits may result in civil penalties and lay the groundwork for criminal prosecution of employers who knowingly violate the law, ICE says.

In July of this year, ICE announced 654 audits of employers, which found out of more than 85,000 I-9 forms reviewed, ICE agents identified more than 14,000 suspect documents; approximately 16 percent of the total number reviewed. According to the agency, to date 61 Notices of Intent to Fine have been issued, resulting in $2,310,255 in fines. In addition, 267 cases are currently being considered for Notices of Intent to Fine, ICE says.