Employer To Pay Record $95 Million To Settle ICE Allegations That It Knowingly Hired Thousands of Undocumented Workers

Asplundh Tree Experts, one of the nation’s largest privately-held companies, has entered into a $95 million settlement agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after admitting to knowingly employing thousands of undocumented illegal workers. According to ICE, the $95 million settlement is the largest ever in an immigration enforcement case.

The settlement stems from an ongoing six-year ICE audit that began in 2009 and ultimately resulted in both civil and criminal charges being brought against the company. According to court documents, ICE discovered that from 2010 until December 2014, Asplundh hired and rehired employees whom it knew had false and fraudulent immigration documents. Asplundh allegedly used a decentralized word-of-mouth hiring model that incentivized supervisors and general foremen to hire unauthorized workers.

Although an extreme case, the settlement nevertheless should serve as a reminder to all employers about the potential high costs a company can face for ignoring applicable employment eligibility verification requirements.

Members of the Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC) can read more here.