Phoenix-area employer joins IMAGE program
PHOENIX — A Phoenix-based roofing company has become the latest employer to join U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) IMAGE program, which is designed to strengthen hiring practices and reduce unauthorized employment.
Progressive Roofing, which is headquartered in Phoenix and has regional offices in 10 states, employs some 1,000 workers nationwide. The company was a subcontractor on several major construction projects, including the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium and the New Mexico Spaceport.
As the 31st Arizona-based business to sign up for the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE), Phoenix Roofing has agreed to partner with ICE and perform the actions required to obtain IMAGE certification. Those include: conducting a self-assessment of hiring practices to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized workers; enrolling in E-verify, an employment eligibility verification program; training staff on IMAGE Best Employment Practices and the use of new screening tools; and undergo a Form I-9 audit by ICE.
“Progressive Roofing continues to grow and provide quality work with responsive customer service,” said Mark Farrell, company president. “Participating in the IMAGE program demonstrates to our employees and customers — many of whom are federal, state or local government agencies — that Progressive Roofing is fully committed to legal compliance. We are dedicated to following best practices in hiring employees to ensure immigration compliance.”
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.
“We welcome Progressive Roofing into the IMAGE family,” said Matt Allen, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Phoenix. “Together, IMAGE partnerships enable us to recognize the highest level of employment integrity and foster best hiring practices. When employers make a commitment to hire and maintain a lawful workforce, it's good for their business and it’s good for the community. Our new partner has made a commitment to protecting our nation’s lawful workforce and fostering a culture of compliance.”
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 call HSI Phoenix at (602) 407-6155 or visit www.ICE.gov/image.
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