Long Island business partners with ICE

NEW YORK - A company based on Long Island, N.Y., that manufactures specialty security products used by law enforcement and the defense industry is the first business in the state to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an effort to strengthen its hiring practices.

American Defense Systems, Inc., (ADSI) in Hicksville, N.Y., officially became a member of ICE's Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers (IMAGE) at a signing ceremony here on Wednesday. IMAGE is a voluntary program that allows private industry to partner with ICE to reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents.

Products developed and made by ADSI include transparent and opaque armor, security doors, windows and curtain wall systems used by military, law enforcement, homeland defense and corporate customers.

To become an IMAGE partner, the company underwent a rigorous certification process that included extensive training, an audit of its I-9 employment forms and a thorough evaluation of its hiring process.

"ADSI recognizes the importance of employing a legal workforce and I am pleased that this company is our first IMAGE partner in the state of New York," said James T. Hayes, special agent in charge ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York. "We will continue to reach out to companies in all industries and encourage them to ensure their hiring practices comply with federal law."

"Being part of this program will help ADSI and its subsidiaries - American Physical Security Group and American Institute for Defense and Tactical Studies - collaborate with government officials on immigration matters," said Anthony J. Piscitelli, ADSI Chief Executive Officer. "ADSI has always been, and will always be, at the forefront when it comes to protecting the United States."

When a company pursues IMAGE membership, ICE provides education and training on proper hiring procedures, including employment screening tools such as E-Verify and the Social Security Number Verification Services. The company also undergoes an audit of its I-9 forms to ensure current employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Initiated in 2007, the IMAGE program has partners throughout the United States and in a wide range of industries including employment services, aviation, transportation, construction, high technology, shipping and manufacturing. Currently, more than 100 businesses nationwide are IMAGE members.

The E-Verify program, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, allows employers to verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This web-based program, available in all 50 states at no cost to employers, provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

New York-area employers interested in becoming IMAGE partners may contact the local IMAGE coordinator by calling 1-866-DHS-2ICE.