2017 will Bring a Revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form
Employers should be on notice that earlier this year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved a revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) made the new form available on November 14, 2016, but employers may use the old I-9 through January 21, 2017.
According to a news release issued by USCIS, some of the most important changes to the form include the following:
- Section 1 now asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used”
- The addition of new prompts to make sure that information is entered correctly
- The ability to enter multiple translators and preparers
- A dedicated area for including additional information
- A supplemental page for the translator or preparer
Perhaps the most notable change to the new I-9 is the ease with which it can be completed on a computer. The new form has calendars that allow users to fill in dates, drop-down lists, on-screen instruction for each field, easy access to the full instructions, and the ability to clear the form and start over. Furthermore, when an employer prints the I-9 out, a QR code is automatically generated that will be used by federal immigration officials. Importantly, the form is not an “electronic” I-9, meaning that is still must be printed out, signed, stored, and re-verified just like the older versions of the form.
It is Critical For Employers to Comply with Federal Regulations
As these changes take effect, it is important for employers to keep in mind that it is critical for them to maintain compliance with federal immigration law. Failure to do so can result in significant consequences, some of which may jeopardize the very existence of your business. For this reason, as an employer, you should regularly meet with an immigration attorney in order to review your policies and paperwork in order to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations.
Call 201-703-9400 today for more information.
Whether you are an employer that wants to ensure compliance with immigration law or an individual seeking asylum in the United States, attorney Ronald Mondello is here to help. Mr. Mondello is a seasoned immigration attorney that devotes a significant amount of his practice to foreign national criminal defense. To schedule a consultation with Mr. Mondello, call our office today at 201-703-9400 or send us an email through our online contact form.
