Virginia business becomes IMAGE partner with ICE

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services in Springfield signs agreement

FAIRFAX, Va. - Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services in Springfield, Va., joins five other businesses in the national capitol region to become a member of the IMAGE program with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Short for "ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers," IMAGE provides businesses an opportunity to partner with the agency to develop a more secure and stable workforce.

At the signing ceremony today, Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Washington, D.C. John P. Torres said, "When a company becomes an IMAGE member, it is making a strong statement within the business community that complying with federal hiring laws is a priority. Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services will join IMAGE business participants around the country who are committed to protecting the integrity of their workforce by ensuring that their employees are who they represent themselves to be."

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services is one of a handful of companies in the country who have undergone the rigorous IMAGE certification process. As part of this process, Interstate has completed extensive training and thorough evaluation of its hiring processes.

Bud Morrissette, president of Interstate comments on this recognition, "At Interstate, we are people in the people business. We feel it is imperative that we hire individuals that embrace the values and qualities our company possesses while holding steadfast to set legal guidelines. We have upheld this high standard from our company's inception in 1943 and are committed to maintaining this standard in the years to come. We are honored and privileged to be part of the IMAGE program."

The IMAGE program was initiated in 2007 with partners from around the United States and a wide range of industries, including: employment services, aviation, transportation, construction, high technology, shipping and manufacturing. By signing the IMAGE contract for full membership, businesses establish a formal partnership with law enforcement to follow the best hiring practices recommended by the program, train their staff to uphold the high standards required by the program, and use the tools offered by the federal government to screen employees and ensure they are lawfully authorized to work.

IMAGE members work with ICE to meet the standards set by the program. In addition, they partner with ICE officials to assess their business practices and improve the way they hire, process I-9 forms, maintain employment records, and otherwise comply with U.S. laws on employment.

The E-Verify program is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Through this program, employers can verify that newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States. This Internet-based program is available in all 50 states and is free to employers. E-verify provides an automated link to the Social Security Administration database and Department of Homeland Security immigration records.

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services, a worldwide relocation service company founded in 1943 by Arthur E. Morrissette, employees approximately 221 personnel at three locations, two in Virginia and one in Maryland.

In total, ICE has 109 IMAGE members nationwide. In the national capital region there are now 5 IMAGE members and one associate member, including the newest member Interstate Worldwide Relocation Services. Other members include General Dynamics, Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, Inc., Regalmark, Inc., National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, and Smithfield Foods, Inc. as an associate member.

Virginia-area employers interested in the IMAGE program may contact the local IMAGE coordinator at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.