Shaun Staller Discusses Rise in I-9 Audits Under Trump Administration in Financial Times
In the July 21, 2025, Financial Times article, “Trump’s immigration audit blitz piles paperwork on to US companies,” Obermayer business immigration partner Shaun Staller discussed how U.S. employers are increasingly struggling with a surge in I-9 employment verification audits under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement efforts. While public attention has focused on workplace raids, many businesses are more concerned about the audits, which can lead to steep fines or even criminal charges for small paperwork mistakes.
Staller said he has “certainly” seen a sharp rise in audits since President Trump took office in January. He also pointed out that, although since 1986, US employers have been responsible for verifying that anyone they hire is legally allowed to work in the country, the complexity of the form itself means that “it’s very common for employers not to have [complete] records.”
Read the full article here.
Shaun is a business immigration attorney with extensive international experience, advising individuals and companies across industries on navigating the U.S. immigration system. He focuses on employment-based visas, compliance, and workforce immigration strategies, and also assists foreign entrepreneurs with U.S. business ventures and related immigration benefits. Shaun represents clients before federal agencies including USCIS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of State, and regularly advises employers on documentation and compliance obligations.
