New Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9

By: NYC Immigration Attorney Norka M. Schell
Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC
www.lawschell.com

The E-Verify or Electronic Verification system originated in 1996 as the "Basic Pilot" system. This is a program in which employment eligibility of all newly hired employees will be confirmed electronically by access to SSA's and Department of Homeland Security's databases.

The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published last week a new Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.

What has changed on the I-9 Form?

• The new I-9 Rorm has English and Spanish versions.

• The instructions to the new version of the I-9 Form are more clear.

• The I-9 Form has extra fields that make the form more friendly.

• The I-9 Form also describe clearly the information employees and employers must provide in each section.

The E-Verify or Electronic Verification system originated in 1996 as the "Basic Pilot" system. This is a program in which employment eligibility of all newly hired employees will be confirmed electronically by access to SSA's and Department of Homeland Security's databases.

The new I-9 Form is available immediately. Employers should complete the new I-9 Form for new hires and for reverification purposes. It is not necessary to complete a new form for existing employees if a previously properly completed I-9 Form is being maintained by the employer.

Employers who need to make necessary updates to their business processes to allow for use of the new Form I-9 may continue to use other previously accepted revisions (Rev.02/02/09) and (Rev. 08/07/09) until May 7, 2013 date. After May 7, 2013, all employers must use the revised Form I-9 for each new employee hired in the United States.

For more information, please contact our office at (212)564-1589.