I-9 Compliance/E-Verify
What is an I-9 form and why is it important?
Federal law requires that a Form I-9 be filled out before any new employee can begin work. The I-9 form verifies that the employee has authorization to work in the United States. Allowing an employee to begin work without completing an I-9 form can subject an employer to civil fines and even criminal prosecution.
What is E-Verify?
E-Verify is a free website operated jointly by several federal agencies which allows employers to verify that an employee has work authorization. The system checks an individual's Social Security number to verify that the individual is currently in an immigration status that allows for work authorization. An increasing number of states are requiring employers to use E-Verify for all newly-hired employees.
How does Fisher & Phillips assist employers with I-9 and E-Verify compliance?
In this age of increased immigration enforcement, proper completion of I-9 forms is one of the best ways to avoid legal penalties for hiring unauthorized workers. The attorneys of our Immigration Practice Group regularly advise clients on how to institute I-9/E-Verify compliance measures company-wide, including across many locations and/or business divisions. We meticulously review clients' current practices for verifying employees' work authorization, including precautionary audits of all I-9 forms held by the company. These audits identify and correct potential problem areas in advance, thus limiting the employers' risk of being penalized for errors on its I-9 forms or for hiring an unauthorized worker. Finally, we represent clients in audits by the Department of Labor, and defend claims of immigration-related discrimination in court.
We also provide our clients with a comprehensive, web-based I-9 verification and E-Verify system called Electronic I-9 Solution. This solution increases overall efficiency of I-9 processes, and provides centralized visibility and management of corporate-wide I-9 risks. Electronic I-9 Solution gives you peace of mind that your organization is compliant with both I-9 regulations and E-Verify.
Related Attorney(s):
Shanon Stevenson
Kim Thompson
Jessica Cook
Related Resources:
Electronic I-9 Solution (pdf)
Employment Authorization Issues for TPS, Asylees, and Refugees
General Contractor Liability Under An Era Of Increased Worksite Enforcement
I-9 Form (pdf)
I-9 Handbook (pdf)