What You Need To Know

 

I-9 Inspection

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 mandates that employers verify their employees’ identity and employment eligibility using Form I-9. Employers must retain these forms for current employees and for a specified period for former employees. The administrative inspection process begins with a Notice of Inspection (NOI), giving employers at least three business days to produce the requested Form(s) I-9.

During inspections, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) may request additional documentation, such as payroll records and business licenses. If technical or procedural errors are found, employers have 10 business days to correct them. Substantive violations or uncorrected errors may result in fines, and knowingly hiring unauthorized workers may lead to more severe penalties, including criminal prosecution. HSI issues various notices based on inspection findings, such as:

  • Notice of Inspection Results: Also known as a “compliance letter,” this notice confirms that a business meets all employee eligibility verification requirements.

  • Notice of Suspect Documents: Indicates that employee documentation may be invalid. Employers and employees can provide additional proof of work authorization to contest this finding.

  • Notice of Discrepancies: Indicates uncertainty about employee eligibility. Employers should inform employees and allow them to submit further documentation to HSI.

  • Notice of Technical or Procedural Failures: Identifies errors in Form I-9 completion, granting employers 10 business days to correct them. Uncorrected issues become substantive violations.

  • Warning Notice: Issued for substantive violations with an expectation of future compliance, except in cases of repeated offenses, failure to correct errors, complete non-compliance, hiring unauthorized workers, or fraud.

  • Notice of Intent to Fine (NIF): Issued for serious violations, including uncorrected errors and knowingly hiring unauthorized workers.

 
 

Strengthening Washington’s Smallest Businesses

The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) builds capacity in Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs), also known as Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs), to ensure that Washington’s smallest businesses have access to the business tools, resources and financing they need to innovate, grow and flourish with a strong sense of place in their communities.

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025: Worksite ICE Raids, Immigration Compliance and Succession Planning for Business Owners

Information you need!

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April 16, 2025

REPLAY ~ April 16, 2025: What Employers Need to Know about I-9 Compliance and Protocols Webinar

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Linking you to people,
meet the Small Business Liaisons

The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a partnership of 29 state agencies working to improve access to regulatory information, education and agency resources for small business communities across the State of Washington.

Our Mission: We are listening to businesses, then driving action to make it easier to do business in the State of Washington. A primary goal of the SBLT is to have an informed small business community that understands what's needed to comply with the state's licensing and regulatory requirements.

The team was formalized and expanded in Executive Order 12-01. ORIA acts as the facilitator of SBLT. The SBLT develops outreach programs, solicit ideas for regulatory improvement and develop new business tools.

Small Business Liaison Team in Washington state

 

SBRR Free Workshops

 Welcome to the Small Business Requirements & Resources (SBRR) Free Workshop page.

SBRR workshops are provided by members of the Washington state Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT). The workshops were started in 2019 by three Washington state agencies, the departments of Employment Security, Revenue, and Labor & Industries.

Our workshops provide helpful information around the regulatory relationship with the government and requirements that businesses can use to save unwarranted penalties, and teach best practices, bottom line cost-saving programs, business solutions, consulting services, and more.

We want business owners/representatives to be equipped with information to help them make the best decisions for the long-term health, vitality, and sustainability of their businesses and employees.

 

Start a Business in WA (pre-recorded)

Grow Your Business in WA (pre-recorded)

2025 Live Webinars - Sign up today

2025 in person workshops 

Required registration as locations have capacity.

From Start to Smart in Business: Asotin County Small Business Workshop https://asotincountyworkshop.eventbrite.com/
Wednesday, May 14th 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Walla Walla Community College
1470 Bridge Street Clarkston, WA 99403

From Start to Smart in Business: Port of Columbia Small Business Workshop https://PortofColumbiaWorkshop.eventbrite.com
Wednesday May 14th 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Columbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building
5 North Pine Street Dayton, WA 99328 

 

Resources