I-9 Compliance Attorney for Hawaii Employers

If you employ people in Hawaii, Form I-9 compliance isn’t optional — it’s federal law. And the consequences of getting it wrong can be financially devastating, whether you’re a small family-owned business or a large employer. At Noha Immigration Law, we help Hawaii employers get it right before there’s a problem, and we defend them vigorously when there is one.

What Is Form I-9?

Every U.S. employer is required to complete a Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for each employee within three days of their start date. The form verifies the employee’s identity and their authorization to work in the United States. While it sounds straightforward, the rules surrounding I-9 completion, retention, reverification, and remote verification are detailed and frequently updated — and even technical paperwork errors can result in significant fines.

Why Sherry Is Uniquely Qualified

Sherry’s background in I-9 enforcement is genuinely rare. She served as the Team Leader for the Worksite Enforcement Teams in both the San Francisco and Honolulu field offices of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of ICE. In that role, she trained HSI Special Agents and Auditors on how to conduct legally sound I-9 audits, personally reviewed and approved hundreds of Notices of Intent to Fine (NIF), and negotiated fines with employers on behalf of the government.

She also successfully litigated one of the largest published I-9 cases of its time — United States v. Hartmann Studios, Inc. — a case involving an events-planning company in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She knows exactly what auditors look for because she trained them, and she can use that knowledge to help you.

Our I-9 Services for Hawaii Employers

I-9 Training Packages — customized training for your HR team or managers, including assistance with self-audits to identify existing issues
I-9 Compliance Reviews — a proactive assessment of your current I-9 practices before an audit ever happens
Audit Defense — legal representation if you’ve been audited by HSI or ICE
Notice of Intent to Fine (NIF) Defense — if you’ve received a NIF, Sherry will review it, advise on your options, and advocate on your behalf

Don’t Wait for a Knock on the Door

I-9 audits can happen to any employer, in any industry, at any time — and in the current enforcement climate, they are becoming more common. The best time to address compliance is before you receive a Notice of Inspection. Whether you run a single-location restaurant or manage a workforce of hundreds, we can help you put the right practices in place.

The I-9 form was most recently revised in August 2023. If your team hasn’t been trained on the current version, now is a good time to reach out.