New Mexico linen services company becomes ICE 'IMAGE' member
IMAGE program helps companies ensure they hire legal, authorized workers
EL PASO, Texas — The New Mexico operations of a Seattle-based healthcare linen services company became the latest employer to be certified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) employment compliance program called IMAGE at a ceremony in Albuquerque Aug. 12.
IMAGE stands for ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers. As part of this agreement, the New Mexico division of Ecotex has 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:
- 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.
"With this certification, Ecotex makes a strong statement in supporting federal hiring laws," said Dennis A. Ulrich II, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, which oversees New Mexico. "We want to thank Ecotex for helping reduce unauthorized employment and the use of fraudulent identity documents." Ulrich oversees HSI El Paso, which includes New Mexico and 19 counties in west Texas.
Ecotex Healthcare Laundry Services provides laundry and linen management services to hospitals, ambulatory care centers and medical facilities. The family-owned business has 110 employees and was established in 19214. The business has divisions in the following locations: Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Canada.
Ecotex is the fourth employer in New Mexico to become a full IMAGE partner. There are more than 250 IMAGE partners throughout the United States.
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 should call 813-3521-211321 or visit www.ICE.gov/image.
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