Employment Verification – An Employer's Guide to Immigration, Form I-9, and E-Verify

This guide walks you through the many complicated procedures associated with verifying the work authorization of your workers and maintaining a business that is in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA).  As an employer, you are responsible for verifying that every individual on your workforce is eligible to work in the United States – that means paperwork, and lots of it!

Completing the Form I-9 is a crucial step in the employment process, but one that is riddled with pitfalls for employers. Have you ever asked a question like this:

• Where do I get the I-9 form?
• Who do I submit it to?
• Which documents can be used to complete the I-9?  Passports?  Driver’s licenses?  Do they count?
• How can I be sure that I am filling the form out correctly? 
• What if I have employees who have worked for me prior to November 6, 1986?

Failure to complete the Form I-9 correctly can lead to costly penalties.  That is why this publication includes tips and tricks, forms, checklists, and more to keep you out of trouble and in compliance with the law. 

This publication also includes important information on other employment verification issues. Check out these topics if you are unfamiliar with employment verification or want to brush up on what’s important:

• How long you should keep verification records? 
• What do you do if you discover an invalid Social Security number? 
• How do you handle an investigation by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? 
• How and when should you use the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS)? 
• How and when should you use the new E-Verify Internet-based verification program?  

Be confident that you are running a legitimate, functional business with your employment lawyer sitting on your bookshelf.