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.

No, employers cannot use outdated I-9 forms after March 31, 2025. The new Form I-9 version becomes mandatory on March 31, 2025, and using any previous version after this date results in automatic paperwork violations with penalties ranging from $288 to $2,861 per form regardless of whether the old form was otherwise completed correctly. USCIS issues updated I-9 forms periodically to add security features, clarify instructions, update acceptable document lists, and incorporate regulatory changes—and employers must transition to the new version by the enforcement date printed on the form itself.

The March 31, 2025 deadline applies to all new hires, rehires, and reverifications (Section 3 updates) processed on or after that date. Forms completed before March 31, 2025 using the previous version remain valid and do not need to be redone, but any I-9 completed on or after the deadline must use the updated form. Employers should immediately download the new I-9 from uscis.gov/i-9, update HR systems and onboarding software, train staff on any new fields or instructions, and dispose of old blank forms to prevent accidental use. During ICE audits, use of an outdated form is one of the most common violations and demonstrates lack of due diligence in maintaining compliant employment practices.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides authorized representative I-9 verification services using the current, compliant I-9 form version for businesses throughout Las Vegas Convention Center, Henderson corporate offices, and remote employee locations across Nevada. Our mobile notaries stay current with all USCIS form updates, examine documents in person per federal requirements, and complete Section 2 accurately to eliminate costly paperwork violations.

No. Nevada law requires the person signing a document to be physically present before the notary during notarization, OR use remote online notarization (RON) where the signer is connected via secure video and the notary verifies their identity digitally. You cannot notarize an emergency authorization if the pharmacist or authorized signer is completely absent. However, emergency scenarios have solutions through mobile notarization or RON.

Real Scenario: A Henderson pharmacy experienced an emergency drug supply situation requiring immediate notarized authorization to access an emergency wholesaler. The pharmacist-in-charge was on personal leave out of state. The pharmacy manager (not a pharmacist) attempted to sign and have notarized the emergency authorization document. This is problematic because (1) non-pharmacist cannot typically authorize pharmacy emergency procurement, and (2) the authorized signer (pharmacist) was not present for notarization.

Solution: The pharmacy needed to contact their pharmacist-in-charge remotely and conduct remote online notarization (RON) where the pharmacist verified their identity via video conference while the notary witnessed the signing electronically. This provided valid legal notarization while accommodating the emergency.

Nevada RON Requirements: Nevada permits remote online notarization for most business documents including emergency pharmacy authorizations, IF:

• The signer has valid government-issued ID
• The notary verifies identity through secure video conference
• The document can be electronically signed or re-printed after RON for physical signatures
• Both parties use compliant RON platforms

For True Emergencies: When the authorized signer is unavailable and cannot be reached remotely, the pharmacy must document the emergency circumstances and potentially use a durable power of attorney previously executed and notarized by an authorized pharmacy representative. This pre-signed document grants emergency authority without requiring new notarization during the crisis.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary coordinates both in-person emergency notarization (if the signer becomes available) and remote online notarization (if the signer must participate remotely). Same-day service ensures emergency authorizations are notarized while the supply situation is still critical.