E-Verify: What You Need to Know

Confirm Employee Eligibility and Protect Your Business

E-Verify is an indispensable tool for employers, ensuring a legal workforce with a streamlined verification process. The labor market is challenging, exacerbated by a 1.47 million workforce deficit in 2020, baby boomer retirements, low birthrates, and shifting immigration policies, as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a Wall Street Journal article reported.

Employers may be tempted to take shortcuts in verification processes to attract new job candidates in a tight labor market. However, hiring unauthorized workers poses more risks than rewards, underscoring the importance of using E-Verify to hire eligible employees.

E-Verify: An Overview

E-Verify is an online system that allows businesses to confirm an employee's eligibility to work in the U.S. It's a secure and quick method for employers and workforce solution partners to verify work eligibility, preventing legal issues stemming from unauthorized employment.

Form I-9 vs. E-Verify

Form I-9 is mandatory for all employers to verify identity and employment authorization. It does not require a Social Security Number or a photo on identity documents.

E-Verify is voluntary for many employers. It requires a Social Security Number and a photo on identity documents.

How E-Verify Works

E-Verify is an effective tool for cross-referencing data that an employee provided on their I-9. It also verifies their eligibility to work and makes their records readily available to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Employers must first complete an E-Verify tutorial before officially using the system. To use E-Verify, input the information from Sections 1 and 2 of the completed Form I-9; results typically arrive within seconds.

When to E-Verify

You should initiate an E-Verify case after the employee has accepted employment and the Form I-9 is completed. It must be done within three business days of the new hire’s first day.

Enrollment in E-Verify

Some states mandate E-Verify’s use for most businesses, while others only require it for public employers. Check your company’s enrollment status on the E-Verify website.

Who Uses E-Verify

Some states require all or most businesses to use E-Verify, while others welcome using the digital service for public employers. Check your state’s E-Verify laws to learn your status.

Common E-Verify Challenges and Solutions

Despite its advantages, E-Verify users may face:

• Inaccuracies and errors
• Old and outdated data
• Privacy and data security concerns
• Potential for discrimination or discriminatory practices

Solutions to these issues include:

• Regular updates
• Data security measures
• Compliance training

The Future of E-Verify

Scheduled for release in 2024, E-Verify NextGen, or E-Verify+, will integrate the I-9 process with E-Verify. New hires will enter their information electronically, reducing the burden on HR and hiring managers.

E-Verify NextGen, also known as E-Verify+, is slated for release in 2024. The update integrates the Form I-9 process with E-Verify, placing more of the process on new hires than hiring managers and HR representatives.