Recently news of Chipotle being investigated by ICE hit many local, state, and national news sources. Chipotle is an upscale Mexican grill who has been under the ICE microscope for about a year. The inspections are not random and have come about as a result of investigation and intelligence gathering.
Chipotle, unlike many other fast food chains like Burger King, Subway and McDonalds, is all corporate . Burger King, Subway, McDonalds and many other chains are often franchise so the hiring onous falls on the local owner of the franchise. What Chipotle has been undergoing is what is known as an I-9 Audit. What exactly is an I-9 audit?
According to Reuters:
WHAT IS A FORM I-9?
-An I-9 is an employment eligibility verification form. All U.S. employers must complete and retain an I-9 for each individual they hire in the United States, citizens and noncitizens alike. On the form, the employer must examine the employment eligibility and identity documents an employee presents to determine if the person can work legally in the country.
