E-Verify Implementation on Track for September 8, 2009
Starting September 8, 2009, employers receiving federal contracts will be required to use the new E-Verify system to check their employees' authorization to work in the United States. This announcement comes after several delayed attempts by the Bush and Obama administrations to implement the E-Verify rule; however, their efforts were thwarted by a stay issued as part of a lawsuit blocking implementation of the E-Verify rule. However, the stay has been lifted, the Obama administration has announced its support for the rule, and it appears that it really will go into effect this time. Really. We're not kidding.
Employers take note: the new E-Verify rule will only affect federal contractors and subcontractors who are awarded a new government contract after September 8, 2009 and that includes E-Verify clause. Federal contractors may NOT use E-Verify to verify current employees until they receive a contract with the E-Verify clause.
For more information on E-Verify, click here to visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service's E-Verify Website.
Another Day, Another E-Verify Delay
It seems like just a couple days ago that we reported that implementation of the E-Verify System was delayed until June 30. Actually, it was a couple days ago. Well, you can forget that; the The Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has announced that it will delay mandatory use of E-Verify, this time until September 8, 2009. Click here to read the USCIS's press release on the delay.
Why the delay? For once, it's okay to blame the lawyers: the parties in a lawsuit over the legality of E-Verify, Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. Napolitano, agreed to delay implementation of the rule from June 30 until September 8 to give the Obama administration more time to review the case and determine its position. Initially, federal contractors were supposed to start using E-Verify on January 15, but the rule has been postponed, and postponed, and postponed again. Keep watching the World of Work's continuing e-verify coverage to see if the new September 8 date will stick, or whether there will be more delays.
E-Verify Delayed Yet Again!
Still another delay for implementation of the mandatory E-Verify system for federal contractors. The Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced for a third time that it will delay mandatory use of E-Verify, this time until June 30, 2009. Click here to read the USCIS's press release on the delay. Click here for the World of Work's continuing e-verify coverage.
Immigration: More Changes to Form I-9 On The Way
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last month submitted an interim final rule intended to streamline the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) process. Click here to read the USCIS' Press Release on the interim final rule.
One result of this new rule will be a new Form I-9, which will be made available sometime in the next two months; until then, continue to use the current Form I-9. Once the new I-9 is available, we'll post it here on the World of Work. Among other changes, the new form will narrow the list of acceptable identity documents and further specifies that expired documents are not considered acceptable forms of identification. The revised Form will also include revisions to the employee attestation section, and the addition of the new U.S. Passport Card to List A.
Remember: employers must complete a Form I-9 for all newly hired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States. For more information, check out the USCIS' information website in the Form I-9.
