Date: March 30th, 2026

Time: 1pmET | 12pm CT | 11am MT | 10am PT

Duration: 90 Minutes

Description:

With shifting federal immigration priorities, U.S. employers—especially those in industries like manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, construction, and hospitality—should brace for significantly intensified worksite enforcement efforts.

Businesses that rely on large numbers of entry-level or nonprofessional workers are particularly vulnerable. Many may unknowingly employ individuals who are unauthorized to work in the U.S., whether due to unlawful entry or visa overstays. While employers have been required since 1986 to complete Form I-9 to verify identity and work authorization, document fraud remains a major challenge. Even with increased use of E-Verify—an online system that checks employment eligibility against government records—identity theft can still enable unauthorized workers to slip through, as stolen or counterfeit documents may appear valid.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has broad authority to conduct worksite audits and investigations. ICE may issue a Notice of Inspection or subpoena, compelling employers to produce a wide array of records within three business days.

These may include:

• Historical employee rosters with hire and termination dates
• Payroll and tax records
• Company ownership details
• Staffing agency or vendor agreements
• All Form I-9s on file
• Copies of any documents submitted for employment eligibility verification

ICE continues to expand its dedicated audit teams nationwide, and employers found to be out of compliance risk not only financial penalties but also potential criminal liability and sudden workforce disruptions.

Now is the time for employers to proactively assess their immigration compliance policies and take concrete steps to prepare.

In this fast-paced, 90-minute intensive session, you’ll walk away with a clear, actionable plan to navigate both routine ICE audits and high-risk on-site enforcement actions. You’ll get up-to-date insights on 2025 immigration enforcement trends, real-world case studies from recent employer experiences, and step-by-step protocols to help you protect your business and support your workforce—before, during, and after an incident.

What You’ll Learn

  Enforcement Trends

• DHS/ICE’s evolving priorities and which industries are in the crosshairs
• E-Verify’s expanding role—what’s optional now may soon be mandatory
• How recent raids are reshaping federal enforcement strategies

 Audit vs. Raid: Know the Difference

• What triggers an audit vs. a raid—and how to minimize your exposure
• What actually happens during a workplace raid, minute by minute
• Your rights and responsibilities under federal law during an enforcement action

 Paperwork Pitfalls & Workforce Impact

• The top 5 Form I-9 mistakes that lead to costly penalties
• How to balance compliance efforts with employee morale and privacy concerns
• Managing documentation errors calmly and legally—without creating fear

 Your Preparedness Action Plan

• I-9 self-audit checklist: Spot and fix errors before ICE does
• How to train supervisors: What to do—and what not to say—during an enforcement event
• Building a cross-functional rapid-response team (Legal, HR, Security)

 Legal & Financial Risks

• Updated ICE fine structures and how penalties are assessed
• When to call legal counsel—and how to choose the right one quickly
• Key lawsuits that have reshaped employer liability and enforcement tactics

Learning Objectives

• Understand 2025 DHS Enforcement Priorities
• Develop Targeted Response Plans
• Identify and Correct I-9 Errors Proactively
• Equip Managers for On-the-Ground Enforcement
• Maintain Business Continuity During Disruptions
• Balance Compliance with Workforce Protection

Credits and Other information:

• Session Duration: 90 Minutes
  • Case Studies and Live Q&A session with speaker
  • PowerPoint presentation for reference
• Delivery method: Group Internet Based
• HRCI Credits: 1.5
• SHRM Credits: 1.5

Who Will Benefit:

• HR Directors & Managers
• Payroll Administrators
• Office managers
• Payroll Managers
• Compliance Officers

About Our Speaker

Wendy Sellers is known as “The HR Lady ®”. She is an involved business partner and hr consultant who understands your current culture and desired culture and then helps you build HR policy and practices, employee training, and management training workshops around your unique environment and goals. As a professional tossed into HR without a plan, she learned all of this the hard way and it was painful. She is authentic and transparent and above all, she keeps it real with a focus on results, action and challenge. There is never a hidden agenda. She is The HR Lady®: Realistic, Honest, and Reliable. Wendy (She/Her) has over 25 years of experience in HR operations, downsizing, change management, strategy, corporate culture, remote workplaces as well as in person, coaching, employee training, supervisor & manager training, HR education, and leadership development in all-size businesses (local startups to global enterprises) in a wide variety of industries including healthcare, dental, professional services, technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, higher education, federal contractors, public safety, non-profit and government agencies (to name a few).