By Leigh Ganchan ( November 8, 2017, 12:45 PM EST) -- After reviewing data related to time spent by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) on worksite enforcement, Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan issued a directive "to increase that by four to five times." A review of I-9 enforcement statistics from the prior administration reveals that the number of employer audits reached a peak in 2013 with 3,127 nationwide, but by 2016, audits had dipped to 1,279 audits (down 59 percent). The ICE directive comes just after an announcement of the largest fine on the I-9 enforcement record, as well as the White House release of President Donald Trump's interior enforcement principles which include making participation in the now voluntary E-Verify program mandatory. The distinct change in policy and the imminent exponential increase in employer audits has put I-9 compliance personnel on notice. Knowing some basics of the development of the I-9-related enforcement regime, can help stakeholders gauge what to expect from the current administration that has vowed to "do it a little differently than we've done it."...