7 New York-based employers join IMAGE

NEW YORK — Seven New York-based employers have partnered with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York Wednesday, Nov. 13 by joining the agency's employment compliance program IMAGE, or "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers."

Modular Devices, Inc. (MDI) is a defense contractor headquartered in Shirley, New York. MDI manufactures electrical components used in U.S. military aircraft and NASA Satellites, as well as other critical infrastructure uses. Amongst the devices that MDI manufactures are DC-DC convertors, power bus controllers, point-of-load DC-DC regulators, and solid state relays. MDI employs 38 people.

Doyle Security Services (DSS) is a security and investigative services company headquartered in Valley Stream, New York. DSS is licensed in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida, with affiliates throughout the U.S. DSS protects multi-use and critical infrastructure facilities, multi-state financial centers, manufacturing campuses, sports arenas, communications organizations, educational complexes, commercial buildings and cultural properties. DSS provides a variety of services, including armed and unarmed guards, reception services, concierge services, fire safety, executive protection, and remote monitoring. DSS employs approximately 500 people.

Brick Mountain Warehouse Corp. (BMWC) is a CBP-approved General Order warehouse located in Valley Stream, NY, that operates out of John F. Kennedy International Airport. General Order is a status given to cargo imported into the U.S. that is missing proper Customs documentation or does not quickly clear Customs. If these goods remain uncleared after 15 days, goods under GO will be moved to a General Order warehouse. In addition to General Order, BMWC also provides bonded storage, container freight station services, as well as local pick up and deliveries in the New York area. BMWC employs five people.

A+ Technology & Security Solutions (ATSS) is headquartered in Bay Shore, New York. ATSS develops and implements security solution for governments, law enforcement, schools and commercial facilities. Some of the many aspects of their technology applications include command and fusion centers, virtual guard booths, access control, video cameras, vape detection, connection to local law enforcement, and emergency response systems. ATSS has 56 employees.

Construction Staffing Solutions, LLC (CSS) and teamCSS, LLC are two co-located corporations located in Long Island City, New York and both are involved with construction staffing. The companies provide staffing for a variety of construction and building maintenance projects, of all sizes and durations. They provide services at job sites in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and their offices can be reached 24/7. CSS employs 30 people and teamCSS employs 125 people.

To qualify for IMAGE certification, partners must agree to the following conditions:

• conduct a self-assessment of their hiring practices to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized workers;
• enroll in E-Verify, an employment eligibility verification program;
• train staff on IMAGE Best Employment Practices and the use of new screening tools; and
• undergo a Form I-9 audit by ICE.

Steven Summer, president of MDI stated, “MDI products are proudly made in the USA, by our skilled, diverse and eligible workforce. Our products are lifted by mighty rockets into space, to the Moon and to Mars. Other MDI products support the U.S. armed forces. Our controlled hiring practices reflect the critical nature of our products and their end use in aerospace and military applications. Unregulated employment practices have far reaching effects into our economy and we are proud to demonstrate our compliance by incorporating IMAGE certification criteria to protect our end user and our commitment to maintain an authorized workforce.”

Mario J. Doyle CPP, president of Doyle Security Services, stated, "Doyle Security Services is proud to be a participant of the IMAGE program. With the assistance of the IMAGE program, it is Doyle’s goal to continue to have a lawful and compliant workforce. It also gives our corporate and governmental clients the peace of mind that Doyle Security employs an authorized workforce that have been certified by Homeland Security Investigations.”

Mr. Madden, chief executive officer for BMWC, stated, “Brick Mountain is proud to be part of the IMAGE program and partnering with ICE. Undocumented employees are a major issue and all businesses should ensure that the people they hire are eligible to work in the United States. The IMAGE program helps us stay in compliance and I encourage other companies to join the program.”

Stephan Grillo, chief financial officer for ATSS stated, “A+ Technology and Security Solutions, an Advance Convergence Group (ACG) company celebrated our 30th anniversary this year protecting schools and government agencies across the U.S. We pride ourselves on our ethical standards and maintain the highest level of scrutiny in our hiring practices. Joining the IMAGE program is reinforcement of our commitment to these practices.”

Anthony Faglione, president of CSS and teamCSS stated, “Homeland Security Investigations has and is doing a stand up job protecting the USA. We respect and honor the work that all agents provide on a daily basis keeping us safe as well as our borders secured. I support the system and hope that all of the citizens of our great nation hold the same level of sensitivity and respect.”

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

All IMAGE members must participate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

Upon enrollment in and commitment to the IMAGE best employment practices, program participants are deemed "IMAGE certified," a distinction DHS and ICE believe will become an industry standard. IMAGE also provides free training to all employers on the provisions surrounding the Form I-9, fraudulent document detection, and building a solid immigration compliance model.

Companies interested in more information on the IMAGE program can visit https://www.ice.gov/outreach-programs/image.