In a recent interview with Buffalo Business First, Rosanna Berardi, managing partner of Berardi Immigration Law, warned Western New York employers that immigration enforcement has entered a far more aggressive and unpredictable phase, one that even “compliant” businesses are not insulated from.
The interview highlights a Buffalo-area construction company that reportedly lost about 30 workers to ICE enforcement despite having completed I-9 employment eligibility forms. According to Rosanna, this disconnect is becoming increasingly common as federal agencies roll out rapid-fire directives that leave employers struggling to keep up.
“The government is just coming out, it seems like every other day, with new directives and initiatives,” Berardi said. “Some are rooted in law; others are just something that seems to be made up.”
She emphasized that while I-9 compliance remains essential, it is no longer a safety net. Employers must be prepared for audits, site visits, and enforcement actions and have a response plan in place before an agent shows up. As enforcement becomes the new normal, she cautioned that assuming the system is cooperative is no longer a safe business strategy.
Read the interview here: https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2026/01/15/buffalo-immigration-employers-law-enforcement.html
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