New I-9 Coming Soon

As U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday, 2009 will bring many changes to the Form I-9.  In early-February, 2009, the USCIS plans to finalize a new rule that updates the I-9 Form, List of Acceptable Documents and Handbook for Employers (M-274).  USCIS notes that these changes are being made in order to “improve the integrity” and “strengthen the effectiveness” of the employment verification process. (Check out the USCIS Website for the rule) 

 Under the new rule, employers will note the following changes to the I-9:

·         Employers will be required to use the newest version of the Form I-9 to be released when the rule is finalized;

·         Employers will no longer be allowed to accept any expired documents to satisfy the I-9 document requirements;

·         An additional check box will be added in the employee attestation section of the form, and where it used to read “A citizen or national of the United States” there will now be two options: “citizen of the United States” and “noncitizen national of the United States, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1408”;

·         The List of Acceptable Documents will be updated.  Some documents, like the U.S. Passport card, will be added and others, like the Form I-688 (Temporary Resident Card) will be removed;

·         The language on the Form I-9 will change in places to better reflect the statutory language; and

·         The Handbook for Employers (M-274) will be updated to include information and direction on all of these changes. 

 

In addition to these changes to the Form I-9, early-2009 will also bring new E-Verify requirements to employers with federal contracts.  Employers need to remain diligent and stay up-to-date with these requirements in order to ensure their compliance with the law.  Making sure your company is in compliance and has correct policies and protocols in place this New Year is a smart resolution.  

To learn more about these changes and to find the new I-9 Form as it is updated please visit the GoffWilson website or bLAWg.  GoffWilson provides a full-range of I-9 Compliance services including auditing, training, policy development, and education.