This CLE program provides a clear and practical examination of the employment eligibility verification system with a focus on the real-world demands placed on employers. The session begins with an analysis of Form I-9 requirements, the statutory framework that governs them, and the procedural rules that create strict liability for seemingly small errors. Participants will learn how verification obligations arise, how timing rules operate, and how common mistakes continue to expose employers to significant monetary penalties. The discussion then turns to the federal government’s enforcement priorities. We will review how agencies initiate and conduct audits, the standards investigators apply when determining technical and substantive violations, and the factors that influence penalty calculations. Attendees will gain insight into the government’s current approach to site visits, desk audits, pattern and practice inquiries, and the increased use of data driven targeting. The program concludes with a structured overview of internal compliance programs. This includes practical instruction for conducting internal audits, correcting deficient forms, training staff, maintaining appropriate records, and preparing for unannounced visits.