When ICE audits your company, they issue a Notice of Inspection (NOI) requiring you to produce all I-9 forms and supporting documentation within 3 business days. The NOI specifies the timeframe of employment records to be inspected (typically all current employees plus terminated employees within the retention period), and employers cannot refuse the inspection or delay production beyond the 3-day deadline. ICE inspectors review every I-9 form for technical compliance—Section 1 completion, Section 2 timely verification, Section 3 reverification when applicable, proper document examination, correct dates, valid signatures, and adherence to acceptable document lists. Violations result in fines ranging from $288 to $2,861 per paperwork error, $716 to $28,619 per knowing hire of unauthorized workers, and $590 to $11,823 per document fraud violation, with average penalties of $500 to $5,000 per violation depending on violation severity and employer compliance history.

ICE audits are triggered by anonymous tips, disgruntled employee reports, industry-wide enforcement sweeps targeting high-violation sectors like hospitality, healthcare, construction, and food service, prior violations at the same company, rapid hiring growth that suggests potential unauthorized worker employment, federal contract bidding requiring compliance verification, and random audits conducted without specific cause. During the inspection, ICE may also conduct worksite enforcement actions including employee interviews, document verification with USCIS databases, and criminal investigations if evidence suggests systematic knowing hire violations or fraudulent document use. Employers found with substantial violations face monetary penalties, required termination of unauthorized workers, implementation of mandatory E-Verify enrollment, ongoing compliance monitoring, and potential criminal prosecution of owners, managers, or HR personnel if the violations demonstrate intentional non-compliance.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary helps Las Vegas and Henderson employers prepare for ICE audits by providing professional I-9 verification services that create audit-ready documentation from the outset. Our mobile notaries complete Section 2 verification with proper document examination, accurate data entry, and detailed record-keeping that withstands ICE scrutiny. We also offer pre-audit I-9 reviews for businesses concerned about compliance gaps, identifying common violations like missing signatures, incorrect dates, expired documents without reverification, and incomplete fields—allowing employers to correct issues through good-faith self-audits before ICE initiates formal inspections. This proactive approach significantly reduces penalty exposure and demonstrates due diligence that ICE considers when determining fine amounts.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary serves as an authorized representative to complete Form I-9 Section 2 employment verification for international students working on campus in Enterprise. We examine your original identity and work authorization documents, verify their authenticity per USCIS guidelines, and complete the employer's verification requirements on your behalf.

Important: I-9 verification is NOT a notarial act—it is an authorized representative service separate from notarization. The I-9 form should not be notarized unless specifically requested by the employer (which is rare). This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of I-9 processing.

📋 Complete I-9 Verification Process for International Students:

1. Student completes Section 1: Fill out employee information section on or before your first day of work, including name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, and citizenship/immigration status
2. Gather acceptable documents: Provide original documents from List A (e.g., unexpired foreign passport with valid I-20 and employment authorization) OR combination of List B (identity) + List C (work authorization)
3. Schedule authorized representative appointment: We meet you at your residence, campus, or convenient Enterprise location within 3 business days of your employment start date (federal requirement)
4. Representative completes Section 2: We physically examine your original documents, record document information, attest to their authenticity, and sign Section 2 with our business information

⚠️ Real-World Example - F-1 Student On-Campus Work Authorization:

• Student hired for on-campus library position starting Monday, September 15
• Student completes I-9 Section 1 on September 15 (first day)
• Student presents: Valid passport (List A identity), I-20 showing on-campus work authorization (List A work auth), Social Security card (List C backup)
• We meet student Tuesday, September 16 at Enterprise apartment (within 3-day deadline)
• Result: Compliant I-9 completed, student can continue working

Different scenario - Incomplete documentation:

• Student presents expired passport
• I-20 doesn't show work authorization endorsement from DSO
• Result: Cannot complete I-9, student must obtain proper documents from international student office before employment can continue

💡 Why Authorized Representative Service Matters: Many international students are unfamiliar with I-9 requirements and risk employment termination due to incomplete or late verification. Common errors include: (1) Confusing I-9 verification with notarization, (2) Missing the 3-business-day deadline, (3) Presenting photocopies instead of original documents, (4) Using expired documents. Our I-9 verification service ensures USCIS-compliant completion to protect both student employment and employer compliance.

🏢 Service Areas for I-9 Verification: We provide mobile I-9 authorized representative services throughout Enterprise student housing, Summerlin West apartment complexes, and Downtown Las Vegas near UNLV campus. Available Monday-Saturday with same-day and next-day appointments to meet federal 3-day deadlines.

Note: If you need related notarization services (e.g., affidavits for visa applications, consent forms), those are separate notarial acts—see our Notary with Witnesses service.

Related Questions

• What Documents Are Acceptable for I-9 Verification?
• What Is the I-9 Verification Deadline?
• What's the Difference Between I-9 Verification and Notarization?