SUMCO Phoenix Corporation, a technology company in the Phoenix area became the newest employer to join the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) program designed to strengthen hiring practices and reduce unauthorized employment.
SUMCO Phoenix Corporation recently signed the agreement to participate in the IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers), a voluntary program in which ICE partners with businesses to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.
As the 40th Arizona business to sign up for IMAGE, SUMCO Phoenix Corporation has agreed to partner with ICE and perform the actions required to obtain IMAGE certification. These include conducting a self-assessment of hiring practices to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized workers; enrolling in E-verify, an employment eligibility verification program; training staff on IMAGE Best Employment Practices and the use of new screening tools; and undergoing a Form I-9 audit by ICE.
“We’re proud to be accepted as the 40th member of the Arizona IMAGE program. We are committed to use the ICE best employment practices and protect jobs for authorized legal workers,” said Tom Mackey, vice president of human resources, general affairs and purchasing.
SUMCO started up in 1997 and is celebrating its 20th year in business, manufacturing electronic-grade silicon wafers for the semiconductor industry. These wafers are used by companies all over the world to make integrated circuits and semiconductor devices that power a myriad of electronic products, from computers to cell phones, digital watches to automobile engine systems. The company has a workforce of about 600 employees at two manufacturing facilities in the United States. As a supplier to some of the giants in the electronics industry, SUMCO provides a full range of products and services to support their customers’ global operations and technology needs. These services include research & development on new technologies and product applications, worldwide inventory and product delivery management for customers.
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) proudly welcomes the SUMCO Phoenix Cooperation whose partnership with IMAGE will increase their brand reputation and enhance their company,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “Joining IMAGE is the best way this company can ensure the quality and integrity of its workforce as they continue to grow in the technology industry.”
All IMAGE members must participate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program. Through this program employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This internet-based system is available throughout the nation and is free to employers. It provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and DHS immigration records.
Because undocumented workers create vulnerabilities in today’s marketplace by presenting false documents to gain employment, completing applications for fraudulent benefits, and stealing identities of legal United States workers, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.