U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced new regulations to help employers take proper steps when they learn that worker authorization information in their files is incorrect and to protect themselves from civil or criminal sanctions for knowingly employing unauthorized workers.

Since the passage in 1986 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act, employers have had to verify the identity and work authorization of all individuals, by completing an I-9 form within three days after the start of their employment. Most employers are familiar with the I-9 form, and verify work authorization by a driver's license or other form of photo identification and a social security card.

It is unlawful for employers to hire a person not …