The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Aug. 3 proposed a pilot program for small employers to remotely verify I-9 forms—a program that would be similar to the remote verification alternative procedure recently made available to qualified E-Verify users. We’ve gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other media outlets.
Description of Pilot Program
The pilot program, which would be optional, would resemble the E-Verify remote verification but would not be available to E-Verify employers. Like the E-Verify remote verification, it would provide remote document inspection, document retention and protections against discrimination. ICE would regularly request feedback data—such as number of new hires, number of employees who requested to have a physical inspection and challenges associated with the pilot procedure—from participating employers. ICE welcomes feedback on all aspects of the pilot’s potential terms and conditions within the next 60 days.
Remote Verification of I-9s Becomes Available for Qualified E-Verify Users
Remote verification of identification and work authorization documents associated with Form I-9 is an alternative option for qualified E-Verify users in good standing as of Aug. 1.
New I-9 Form Available Now
The new version of Form I-9 was released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Aug. 1. Employers can use the previous version of the form through Oct. 31, 2023. After that, all employers must use the revised Form I-9. The new form is scheduled to expire July 31, 2026.
What Employers Should Know About the Updated Form I-9
The new I-9 form—now just one page long with supplements—has numerous changes that employers should familiarize themselves with.