16 Florida companies become IMAGE members
IMAGE program ensures legal, authorized workforce
TAMPA, Fla. – The fifth-largest conventional supermarket chain in the U.S. and two additional companies and their subsidiaries became the latest employers to be certified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a recent ceremony.
IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, Southeastern Grocers, Enexio US and Tampa Marine Terminals LLC, and their subsidiaries, have pledged to maintain a secure and stable workforce and curtail the employment of unauthorized workers through outreach and education. To qualify for IMAGE certification, companies must perform the following requirements:
- Complete the IMAGE Self-Assessment Questionnaire (Application);
- Enroll in the E-Verify program within 60 days;
- Establish a written hiring and employment eligibility verification policy that includes internal Form I-9 audits at least once per year; and
- Submit to a Form I-9 inspection.
“We want to commend these companies and their subsidiaries for their commitment to our nation’s security, as well as the security of their employees and customers,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.
Southeastern Grocers, LLC parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is the fifth largest conventional supermarket in the U.S. The company employs more than 50,000 associates who serve customers in grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies throughout the seven southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and loyal associates, and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.bi-lo.com, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.
Southeastern Grocers signed IMAGE membership agreements for the following 8 companies: BI-LO, LLC; Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.; Winn-Dixie Supermarkets, Inc.; Winn-Dixie Montgomery, LLC; Winn-Dixie Raleigh, LLC; Winn-Dixie Logistics, LLC; Dixie Spirits, Inc. and Samson Merger Sub, LLC.
“Southeastern Grocers is proud to become one of the newest companies to be IMAGE certified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s employment compliance program,” said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. "At Southeastern Grocers, our associates are our greatest asset, and we continue to attract top talent while maintaining a reliable workforce to ensure employment eligibility verification.”
In 1926, the Hendry family entered the maritime business when Captain F.M. Hendry founded Hendry Corporation in Tampa. Today, the Hendry family of maritime companies provides a diverse range of maritime services, including commercial and government ship repair; marine environmental services, such as gas-freeing, lead and asbestos abatement, and brokered non-hazardous waste removal; sandblasting and coating; and maritime employee staffing.
Hendry Marine Industries, Inc. signed IMAGE membership agreements for the following 7 companies: Hendry Marine Industries, Inc.; Gulf Marine Repair Corporation; Universal Environmental Solutions, LLC; Anchor Sandblasting and Coatings, LLC; Hendry Corporation; Port Staffing, Inc., and Tampa Marine Terminals, LLC d/b/a Port Hendry Terminals, LLC. All together these companies employ over 400 employees.
“As one of the largest maritime companies in Hillsborough County it is important to us to ensure we follow the best hiring practices available,” said Jim Long, Chief Executive Officer of Hendry Marine Industries. “We are proud to join U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the IMAGE program and look forward to the greater efficiencies it brings to our company.”
ENEXIO US, LLC is a global-active provider in the field of industry, process, and power plant cooling as well as water and waste water treatment over decades and was newly created out of the former Heat Exchanger segment of GEA Group AG headquartered in Germany. ENEXIO US LLC, is the US based entity employing more than 85 full time employees with approximately 500 temporary construction workers and an annual revenue of approximately $115 million.
“ENEXIO US, LLC has a long established culture of good corporate governance and compliance not only with our internal compliance policies and all laws where we conduct business, but also of partnering with our regulatory agencies,” said Claudia Lodetti, Chief Financial Officer. “Our participation in the IMAGE Program is a natural extension of our compliance culture and we’re very pleased to receive the IMAGE certification for our company.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify employment eligibility verification program enables employers to 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.
Companies interested in more information about the IMAGE program can call 813-357-7137 or visit ICE.gov/image.
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