Immigration compliance

What is immigration compliance? 

Immigration compliance refers to the legal requirements employers must meet when hiring and employing individuals in the United States.

To meet immigration law requirements HR teams must:

• verify every worker’s identity and employment eligibility
• complete and store Form I-9 documents correctly
• ensure all verification and reverification records are accurate, current and compliant with federal law

Employers are responsible for following the rules set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL).

Compliance includes completing Form I-9 within required timeframes, tracking document expiration dates, maintaining secure records and preparing for potential audits or enforcement actions. 

Failure to comply with immigration regulations can result in costly fines, business disruption, reputational damage and increased legal exposure.

Why immigration compliance is important to HR

HR plays a critical role in protecting the organization against immigration-related risks. Effective immigration compliance helps HR teams: 

• Verify employment eligibility consistently and fairly 
• Reduce the risk of fines, penalties and enforcement actions 
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready documentation 
• Support lawful hiring practices and reduce business disruption 
• Strengthen internal processes for onboarding, recordkeeping and re-verification 
• Promote fairness and protect employees’ rights during verification procedures 

Strong compliance processes also help HR leaders navigate complex federal and state requirements while safeguarding the organization’s operational stability. 

Explore our immigration resources