2 Michigan companies partner with IMAGE program

DETROIT — Two Michigan companies were recently recognized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE. The two companies were among more than 60 that attended a day-long informational open house about the program last fall.  

IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, STEC USA and Tranor Industries, 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, partners agree to conduct a self-assessment of their hiring practices to uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized workers; enroll in E-verify, an employment eligibility verification program; train staff on IMAGE Best Employment Practices and the use of new screening tools; and undergo a Form I-9 audit by ICE.

In September 2018, STEC USA and Tranor Industries joined more than 60 Detroit-area employers who attended an open house where they heard expert presentations by HSI headquarters about Form I-9 training, USCIS E-Verify updates, Office of Special Counsel training and fraudulent document detection training. The training was well received by STEC USA and Tranor Industries and both companies opted to voluntarily join the IMAGE programs.

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. To combat this, ICE initiated the IMAGE program in 2006.

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.

STEC USA, Inc. is a tier 1 automotive supplier located in Madison Heights, Michigan. STEC is a division of a worldwide group of companies headquartered in Shanghai, China.

STEC has 4 manufacturing plants and 5 regional engineering centers strategically located in North America, Europe, and Asia. STEC is a leader in the auto manufacturing segment of power window regulators, horns, and electrical components for passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and trucks.

Tranor Industries, LLC, based in Detroit, MI, occupies a facility formerly operated as a tool and die builder since the late 1950’s as Ronart Industries. Tranor Industries was formed in 2009 by purchasing the former Ronart facility and re-energizing it to serve the transportation segment.  A wealth of knowledge and decades of trade experience possessed by past Ronart employees was integrated to form our new team.  Tranor Industries brings a fresh approach to the company backed by a tradition of quality, knowledge and expertise.

Director of Human Resources & Safety Joe Lynn stated, the pre-requisites to become a partner is not difficult.  “When it’s all said and done, you can walk away knowing you made the right decision to join as an employer.”