On March 2nd, 2010, 180 businesses were issued Notices of Inspection from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Notice of Inspection warns the business owners that ICE will review and audit their employment records to verify if they are in compliance with I-9 and other eligibility verification laws. To protect the privacy of the targeted businesses, ICE has refused to release the names of the businesses.  However, all 180 businesses were located in 5 states, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. ICE has stated that it is focusing its resources on investigating employers suspected of cultivating and knowingly employing illegal aliens. These notices and audits are part of the agency’s “comprehensive strategy” to reduce the demand for illegal employment. Employers should expect to continue to see this kind of action from ICE. ICE press release.