Since the beginning of 2025, there has been an increase in a federal focus on worksite enforcement efforts, with a renewed focus on I-9 audits, workplace raids, and high-profile investigations. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other federal and state agencies are increasingly targeting employers who fail to properly verify the identity and employment eligibility of their workforce, including temporary and contract labor.

With businesses and farm operations facing civil fines, criminal charges, and potential service disruptions, employers need to be taking steps to prepare. At the same time, government offers of deferred action and work authorization have incentivized employees to cooperate in investigations, often to the detriment of their employers.

This timely session will outline how employers can:

• Build and maintain compliant I-9 practices

• Minimize legal and operational risk in the face of heightened scrutiny

• Prepare for and respond to interactions with government agents—including unannounced raids

About the panelists:

Chris Thomas, a partner at Holland & Hart, has represented companies throughout the United States, including the equine industry, in audits and immigration-related investigations for 28 years.

Jay Ingle, an attorney at Jackson Kelly, focuses primarily on commercial litigation, equine law, labor & employment.

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