States are falling in line to make it mandatory that employers use the federal online verification system to determine if new employees are eligible for employment in the United States.
While, at the moment, only seven states absolutely require private employers to use E-verify, others have introduced legislation that appears to have strong support. Plus, the President has made a strong appeal to Congress for more funding for the program.
Here’s what the state lineup looks like:
Requires the use of E-verify
AZ, AK, MS, GA, CO, OK, RI
“Encourages” the use of E-verify
TN, MO
Requires state agencies to use E-verify
ID, NC, PA, MN, UT, RI
Has legislation pending
CA, MN, PA, SC, TN, WV, IL, IN, IA, MO, RI, KS, NJ, CO, FL
What’s E-verify?
The E-verify program is a Web-based program run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Social Security Administration. Employers can use the system to verify SSNs for employment authorization for all new employees.
In 2007, the number of employers participating in E-verify soared from 14,000 to 52,000. And President Bush has requested $100 million to support the expanded use of E-Verify program for fiscal year 2009.
E-verify can only be used for new hires and is not allowed to be used by an employer to verify work authorization for existing employees. Be aware that even if you use E-verify, you’ll still have to complete the I-9. Employers must submit the employee’s information to E-verify within three days of the hire date. The information can only be done online, not by fax or phone.
Click here to learn more about E-verify and how to use it.
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