Yuma roofing company joins ICE's 'IMAGE' program

YUMA, Ariz. — A roofing and insulation company became the second Yuma employer to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in a nationwide program designed to strengthen hiring practices and combat the unlawful employment of unauthorized workers.

Lines and Lundgreen Roofing and Insulation, Inc., was certified as an ICE Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers (IMAGE) partner during a ceremony Friday. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private industry to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.

"I'm pleased to welcome Lines and Lundgreen as Yuma's second IMAGE partner," said Jay Crede, assistant special agent in charge of HSI Yuma. "When employers make a proactive commitment to hire and maintain a lawful work force, it's good for their business, their customers and the community as a whole."

Lines and Lundgreen is a roofing, insulation and acoustical ceiling installation firm with 46 employees serving Yuma County and the Imperial Valley. The company's projects range from residential roof repairs to large commercial and government contracts, such as the F-35 simulator building at U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

"We're pleased to partner with ICE and Homeland Security to provide a legal and safe environment that should make our customers feel secure that we have followed best practices for hiring," said Jonathan Lines, vice president and general manager of Lines and Lundgreen.

Undocumented workers can create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing the identities of legal U.S. workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006. To date, 25 Arizona companies have become certified IMAGE partners.

As part of the IMAGE program, ICE provides private companies with education and training on proper hiring procedures, including the use of employment screening tools such as E-Verify. IMAGE certified companies also undergo an audit of their I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Yuma employers interested in learning more about IMAGE membership may call the ICE IMAGE coordinator in Yuma at 928-341-7737 or visit www.ICE.gov/image.