It is more common for undocumented workers to participate in projects as independent contractors because those workers do not have to provide the same information — i.e. proof of citizenship or work authorization — that employees do.
And contractors have had to deal with increased government enforcement in this area for some time. ICE audits of I-9 forms are on the rise, according to the National Law Review, increasing in number from 1,360 to 5,981 between 2017 and 2018. The agency sent 3,282 audit notices in July. ICE has also been levying record fines.
