Fri, 2012-09-21 08:07 AM
By: Mark Rockwell
Government Security News

Immigration and Customs Enforcement certified a Maine-based manufacturer and distributor of industrial chemicals under its employment compliance program on Sept. 20.

GAC Chemical Corp. which employs more than 50 people in Searsport, ME, has was officially certified by ICE under its Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) program to protect the integrity of their workforce.

The company is only the second in Maine to be certified in the program, said ICE.

Senior leaders from ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston attended the certification ceremony at GAC's Searsport headquarters. Senior leaders from ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston attended the event, said the agency.

"IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private industry to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "Having GAC Chemical as a partner helps us ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the critical assets that are overseen by this company."

"As a chemical manufacturer, GAC strives to maintain programs and policies that enhance the safety and security of our operations in Searsport for the benefit of our employees and surrounding communities. Our participation with ICE through the IMAGE program is an example of our commitment to this effort," said David Colter, president and chief operating officer.

GAC Chemical, said ICE, is a global producer and distributor of industrial, specialty, and inorganic and organic chemicals for the pulp and paper, power plant, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, potable municipal water, and waste water industries.

Businesses certified with ICE through the IMAGE program pledge to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. ICE recently revamped IMAGE, simplifying program requirements.

To qualify for certification, companies must submit to Form I-9 verification, conduct yearly I-9 audits, establish a written hiring and employment verification policy, and enroll in ICE’s E-Verify program,

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.

Undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today's marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal U.S. workers, said ICE, which initiated the IMAGE program in 2006 to combat the problem.

Chemical manufacturer joins IMAGE employment verification program | Government Security News