Hillsborough County Administration is participating in a voluntary collaborative program, known as IMAGE, with DHS's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to develop a more secure and stable workforce and to enhance fraudulent document awareness through education and training. The IMAGE, or ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers, program was initiated in 2007 to help enforce the nation's immigration and customs laws.

To be a part of the IMAGE program, Hillsborough County Administration agreed to:

Complete a self-assessment questionnaire;
Enroll in an electronic verification (E-Verify) program;
Enroll in the Social Security Number Verification Service;
Adhere to IMAGE Best Employment Practices;
Undergo an I-9 audit conducted by ICE; and
Review and sign an official IMAGE partnership agreement with ICE.

During the first part of this program, County Administration underwent an I-9 audit to identify hiring procedures ICE felt could be strengthened to reduce the potential for unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.

In the second part, County Administration will receive education and training in the areas of proper hiring procedures, Form I-9, fraudulent document detection and anti-discrimination procedures and will enroll in an electronic verification (E-Verify) program. The Internet-based system is available in all 50 states and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

In the third part, County Administration will implement this training by reverifying the work eligibility of many County employees through a Form I-9 verification process. Approximately 25 County Administration employees will be trained in this new procedure and will have 30 business days to conduct the reverification.

XXX