The New Rules of I-9 Compliance: Fines, Audits, and How to Stay Ahead

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