“Fake Green Cards Were Made in Brooklyn,” Immigration Attorney Shares Experience of I-9 Audit

During a recent public program in New Jersey, New York-based immigration attorney Keshab Raj Seadie shared his troubling experience during an I-9 audit five years ago at a water parts manufacturing plant. Seadie, hired to represent the company as an immigration counselor in the audit, uncovered a shocking case of fake green cards circulating among the employees.

At the time, Seadie discovered that 200 employees at the plant, all holding green cards, had never applied for U.S. citizenship—a perplexing discovery, considering that many would typically seek citizenship after five years. Seadie immediately questioned the authenticity of the documents when he noticed the unusual situation. “What the hell is this? Nobody wants to become a citizen?” he recalled.

Upon raising concerns with the plant’s owner, Seadie was directed to consult with another lawyer, and his investigation deepened. “There’s something fishy here. It doesn’t make sense,” Seadie explained. His suspicion proved correct when he uncovered that many of the green cards were fake and had been produced in Brooklyn, crafted to resemble legitimate documents so convincingly that they were nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

He shared his experience while many legal experts are cautioning U.S. employers to strictly comply with Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) requirements, as non-compliance could result in fines of up to $2,861 per violation.

Immigration Attorney Keshab Raj Seadie had previously urged employers to ensure their I-9 paperwork is accurate, complete, and up-to-date. “With the increased penalties, even minor errors or oversights in I-9 compliance can lead to substantial fines,” Seadie emphasized. “Employers must take proactive steps to review their processes and avoid costly violations.”

In a recent update, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an increase in civil monetary penalties for employers who fail to comply with employment eligibility verification requirements, commonly known as Form I-9. The adjustment, part of a final rule issued by DHS, aligns with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and guidance from the Executive Office of the President (EOP) Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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The new penalty amounts, which took effect for violations assessed after January 2, 2025, apply to infractions that occurred after November 2, 2015. Under the updated rule, fines for I-9 paperwork violations have been raised to a range of $288–$2,861 per violation, up from the previous range of $281–$2,789.

Under federal law, employers must complete and maintain Form I-9 for all employees hired in the U.S., ensuring they are legally authorized to work. The form requires employees to provide valid documentation proving their identity and employment eligibility.

Legal experts highlight that under the Trump administration, ICE audits and workplace inspections are expected to surge, particularly in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor. During Trump’s first term, these enforcement measures were significantly ramped up, with I-9 audits increasing more than fourfold and over $121 million in judicial fines, forfeitures, and restitution imposed between fiscal years 2017 and 2019.