Clare Rose Inc. becomes newest ICE IMAGE partner

NEW YORK — A third generation beverage distributing business owned by the Rose family for 75 years is partnering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Clare Rose Inc., based in Long Island, officially became a member of ICE's Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program during a signing ceremony Thursday.

Clare Rose Inc. is strengthening its hiring practices to ensure it is employing a legal workforce. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private sector businesses to partner with the agency to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents. As a result, a participating employer is able to maintain a more secure, stable workforce.

"Today's signing highlights a company's pledge to comply with federal hiring standards for its workforce," said James T. Hayes Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New York. "Clare Rose Inc. will now join the hundreds of IMAGE business participants throughout the United States who are committed to maintaining a lawful work force."

When a company pursues IMAGE membership, the agency provides education and training on proper hiring procedures, including employment screening tools such as E-Verify and the Social Security Number Verification Services. The company also undergoes an audit of its I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

"Clare Rose is excited to be one of the first beer wholesalers in the U.S. to partner with IMAGE," said Christine Dunne, Clare Rose Inc. director of Human Resources and office manager.

The E-Verify program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, allows businesses to verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This web-based program, available in all 50 states at no cost to employers, provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

Under IMAGE, which was initiated in 2006, the agency partners with employers in a wide range of industries, including employment services, aviation, transportation, construction, high technology, shipping and manufacturing. Currently, more than 265 businesses nationwide are IMAGE members.

What began as a small soda distribution business in eastern Suffolk County by Clare and Millie Rose has evolved into Long Island's premier supplier of Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken USA. Today, Clare Rose Inc. is headed by the third generation of the family, Sean Rose, and currently employs approximately 320 people. It is the 12th company to join IMAGE in Metro New York.

Employers interested in learning more about IMAGE membership may contact the local IMAGE coordinator by calling (212) 264-3706 or by visiting www.ice.gov/image.