Manassas construction company becomes latest IMAGE member
FAIRFAX, Va. — A Manassas-based construction company specializing in roofing, masonry and concrete repair became the latest employer to be certified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE.
A certification ceremony between Simpson Unlimited and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took place Thursday morning at the HSI Washington, D.C., field office in Fairfax.
By law, employers are required to maintain original I-9 forms for all current employees. In 2009, Simpson Unlimited was the subject of a government I-9 inspection. As a result of that inspection, the company had to terminate the employment of 25 individuals who were not authorized to work in the United States. The company requested additional training and information from ICE to ensure it did not encounter future immigration-related issues. Through its concerted efforts, Simpson Unlimited learned and implemented the necessary hiring practices. In 2014, the company went through a subsequent I-9 inspection where it passed with flying colors as all employees were determined to be rightfully employed. This prompted the company’s participation in IMAGE.
IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, Simpson has pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education.
To qualify for IMAGE certification, companies must perform the following requirements:
- Enroll in the E-Verify program within 60 days,
- Establish a written hiring and employment eligibility verification policy that includes internal Form I-9 audits at least once per year and
- Submit to a Form I-9 inspection.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program enables employers to 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.
“Simpson Unlimited is the first construction company in northern Virginia to become an IMAGE member,” said Clark E. Settles, special agent in charge of HSI Washington, D.C. “In these challenging financial times, it’s encouraging to see a company that has undertaken the appropriate steps to ensure it hires authorized workers.”
“At Simpson Unlimited, the quality of our product is of paramount importance to us. In keeping with that sentiment, we've committed ourselves to provide a legal and stable workforce of professionals that benefit our company, our community, and our country. We're proud of our IMAGE certification and all the hard work our employees put forth to achieve this goal,” said Daniel Ulvinen, president of Simpson Unlimited.
Simpson Unlimited was founded in 1992 and currently employs approximately 125 individuals. The company handles construction projects ranging from simple repairs to multimillion dollar contracts. Some of the company’s largest projects include: the Rayburn House and Senate Building, the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner and the Freer Gallery of Art.
Companies interested in more information about the IMAGE program can call 703-260-5263 or visit ICE.gov/image.
Updated: