Thread: JBS USA and ICE sign agreement to strengthen legal workforce

Drovers/CattleNetwork news source | Updated: October 9, 2012

GREELEY, Colo. -- JBS USA, a leading animal protein processor with more than 60,000 employees in the U.S., voluntarily entered into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to strengthen the company's legal workforce. The Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program assists employers in developing policies to reduce immigration compliance vulnerabilities, including fraudulent document use and identity theft.

Don Jackson, President and CEO, JBS USA Holdings, and John Morton, Director, U.S. ICE, jointly signed the IMAGE agreement today at ICE Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The event signifies the exceptional progress the company has made toward combatting the efforts of undocumented workers to obtain employment through fraudulent means, while ensuring legal and stable employment opportunities for thousands of American employees.

"Today is an exciting day for JBS and serves as recognition of the considerable time, effort and financial resources we have invested in creating a top-flight workforce compliance culture," stated Don Jackson, President and CEO, JBS USA Holdings. "It is also a testament to the tremendous commitment of our 65,000 employees, without whom this opportunity would not have been possible. Through our voluntary partnership with the government, it is my expectation that we will continue to raise the bar for compliance in our industry and beyond, and remain worthy of the status that IMAGE partnership confers."

JBS, through its certification into the IMAGE program, publicly demonstrates its commitment to meeting and exceeding best industry practices for workforce compliance, while providing equal employment opportunities to eligible employees without regard to race or ethnic origin. The IMAGE program is an excellent example of a public-private partnership that, through government commitment and industry participation, will help strengthen the American workforce.

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I.C.E.News Release

October 9, 2012
Washington, DC

ICE and major meat processing company partner to protect nation's lawful workforce

WASHINGTON – JBS USA Holdings, Inc., (JBS USA) one of the largest meat processing companies in the United States, is the newest member of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) nationwide program designed to encourage businesses to collaborate with ICE and use hiring best practices to ensure they are maintaining a lawful workforce.

JBS USA Chief Executive Officer Don Jackson and ICE Director John Morton signed the IMAGE, or "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers," agreement during a ceremony Wednesday at ICE headquarters. JBS USA is a leading processor of beef, pork and lamb in the United States, with more than 65,000 employees.

"ICE's collaboration with JBS USA reinforces this administration's commitment to working with industry to encourage a culture of compliance with U.S. employment laws," said Director Morton. "ICE is proud to be partnering with the company in this significant effort to protect our nation's lawful workforce."

"Today is an exciting day for JBS and serves as recognition of the considerable time, effort and financial resources we have invested in creating a top-flight workforce compliance culture," said Don Jackson, President and CEO, JBS USA. "It is also a testament to the tremendous commitment of our 65,000 employees, without whom this opportunity would not have been possible. Through our voluntary partnership with the government, it is my expectation that we will continue to raise the bar for compliance in our industry and beyond, and remain worthy of the status that IMAGE partnership confers."

IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows businesses to partner with ICE as part of their efforts to maintain an authorized workforce and protect themselves from the use of fraudulent identity documents by current or prospective employees. This program compliments ICE's worksite enforcement strategy, which focuses on holding employers accountable who knowingly hire unauthorized workers to minimize operating costs and boost profits.

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, complete applications for fraudulent benefits, and steal identities of legal U.S. workers. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

All IMAGE members must participate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program.

Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.

Upon completion of IMAGE program requirements, program participants are deemed "IMAGE certified," a distinction DHS and ICE believe will become an industry standard. IMAGE also provides employers with free training on the Form I-9, fraudulent document detection, and how to build a solid immigration compliance model.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

• DHS.gov
• USA.gov

ICE and major meat processing company partner to protect nation's lawful workforce