Department of Homeland Security Launches New E-Verify Tool
March 22nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Monday the launch of, “E-Verify Self Check.” This tool is an online service that allows individuals in the U.S. to check their employment eligibility status before seeking employment.
The free service is available to individuals in Arizona, Idaho, Colorodo, Mississippi, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The USCIS plans to expand Self Check’s availability once feedback and reviews are received from the initial launch areas. Nationwide expansion should take place within 12 months, according to a USCIS press release. The goal of the program is reduce the number of data mismatches employers experience when using E-Verify.
How E-Verify Self Check Works:
- Users enter their name, date of birth, and address online.
- Users confirm their identity by answering demographic and financial questions generated by a third-party identity assurance service.
- Users enter Social Security number and depending on citizenship status, Alien Registration number.
- The program checks the information against relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) and DHS databases and returns information regarding the users’ employment eligibility status.
Important Notes for Employers:
- Employers cannot require individuals to use E-Verify Self Check to prove work authorization.
- E-Verify employers must continue to run an E-Verify query on each new hire, even if the new hire has previously verified their employment status through Self Check.
- Employers may not accept Self Check results as a fulfillment for the I-9 Form.
Click here to read the full press release from USCIS. For answers to specific questions regarding E-Verify Self Check, contact GoffWilson.
