STAFDA Issues ICE Raid Advisory

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct Targeted Enforcement Operations (ICE raids).
Business owners and managers are concerned about the widespread ICE raids that are underway in every U.S. state, writes Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association HR Consultant Nancye Combs.
“Many businesses are also concerned about the VISA and I-9 Audits that have resulted from the conflict about high-skilled immigrants working on special VISAS. Not many companies are ready for an ICE RAID or I-9 and VISA Audit, because they do not know what to do. It is intimidating and disruptive.”
Combs says it is critical that businesses “make certain that all of your records are up-to-date, accurate, and secure… You cannot wait until an ICE agent appears on your property to prepare yourself.”
In response, STAFDA commissioned Combs to provide an advisory on ICE visits.
The following is a summary of the STAFDA advisory.
When ICE agents arrive:
- Anyone can enter public areas (lobby, reception area, parking lot) of your business without permission.
- ICE cannot stop people, talk to people, arrest anyone, or detain anyone in public areas.
- ICE has no authority to enter private areas without your permission or a judicial warrant.
- If agents have a judicial warrant, “ask for a copy and read it. Make a copy of it. Call your attorney.”
During the raid:
- Remain calm. “It is YOUR business and you want to remain in control.”
- Stay with ICE agents at all times.
- Don’t gather employees for interrogation.
- “No employee has a responsibility to prove they have a right to work because any information that employees give to ICE can be used against them later.”
- Never allow ICE to make a broad sweep of your building.
- Video the entire encounter.
How to prepare:
- Create a written plan in advance, detailing who speaks on behalf of the business.
- Train employees to stay silent except to ask for an attorney.
- Make sure you have completed Form I-9 for all employees.
- Keep an attorney on retainer to call when ICE arrives.
There are no comments at the moment, do you want to add one?
Write a comment