E-Verify is a free online system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of new hires to work in the United States. Employers enter employee information from Form I-9 into E-Verify to check work authorization status. While participation is voluntary for most employers, some states like Arizona and Mississippi require use of E-Verify. Employers who do not comply with E-Verify requirements face penalties like suspension of business licenses or contracts.
2. U.S. federal law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States Employees can be either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary work authorization. Designed to prevent unauthorized employment.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-verify is free Provides electronic confirmation of information on your employees' Forms I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification1What is E-verify?
3. 195,000 employersParticipation in E-Verify is voluntary for most businessesBut for some employers it is mandatory:For example, most employers in Arizona and Mississippi are required to use E-Verify. E-Verify is also mandatory for employers with federal contracts or subcontracts that contain the Federal Acquisition Regulation E-Verify clause.Self employed individuals are exempt from verification, but sole proprietors are not.2Who Uses E-Verify?
4. The 94th General Assembly enacted laws to prevent employment of illegal aliens by Missouri employers.Effective date January 1, 2009An employer is any individual, organization, partnership, political subdivision, corporation, or other legal entity which has or had in the entity's employ five or more individuals performing public works as defined in section 290.210, RSMo;3What about Missouri employers?
5. Any employer who has a state contract for more than $5,000.00 has to enroll in E-verify and use the program to verify work status of their employeesOnce the employer is enrolled in E-verify, all new employment must be must be verified, using E-verifyEmployer must retain a copy of the verification received in its recordsProvides safe harbor for Missouri employers4Missouri employers
6. Penalties apply to employers who employ workers unauthorized to work in the USPenalties for violations include:Suspension of business license for a stated period or permanentlyTermination of state contractsDebarment from doing business with the state for 3 to 5 yearsWith-holding of 25% of state monies to employerTermination or suspension of state-administered tax credit, tax abatement, or loans from the state5Penalties for non compliance with Missouri Immigration Law
7. Any business, nonprofit organization or government agency, whether it's a small family-owned pizza shop or a multinational corporation or sole proprietor. Before you can start using E-Verify, you need to enroll your company or organization in the program. Enter basic information about the company and agree to follow the rules of the program. You'll enroll your company just once and after you do, you can register yourself and others to use the system.You can contact E-Verify Customer Support for assistance or questions in determining your company's enrollment status. 6Which employers should enroll?
8. Employer uses employee details on I-9 form to complete verification onlineUsually, verification is instantaneousIf the system cannot match the information, then the employer is asked to check the information for mistakesOther results could be: DHS verification in process – verification in 24 hours orTentative nonconfirmation – no verification7Verification
9. When final verification result is received, the verification number is recorded on the employee’s I-9 formWhen nonconfirmation is received from E-verify, employees not authorized to work, usually stop reporting to work. 8Follow up steps
10. Employer must post a notice of E-verification usage in a prominent placeMust use it for new hires only and not current employeesUse it for all US citizens and non citizens alikeUse e-verify only after employee has been hired and accepted employmentCannot use E-verify as a screening tool9Employees rights and responsibilities
11. Provide employee information of tentative non confirmation and a hard copyCannot take adverse actions include firing, suspending, withholding pay or training, or otherwise infringing upon terms of employment, for contesting tentative non conformationEmployee has 8 days to contact the federal agency to resolve the issueUpdate name change, and status, with Social Security Administration 10Employees rights and responsibilities
12. Employees may be entitled to receive pay for work lost due to employer violations, and reinstatement in the job. The employer may also be subject to civil penalties for violations of E-Verify rules, Such as discrimination based upon employee citizenship, immigration status, or national origin, or other misuse of E-Verify11Employees rights and responsibilities
13. Enroll within 30 days if the contract contains a Federal Acquisition Regulation E-verify clauseVerify new employees with in 90 days of enrollmentVerify existing employees assigned to the federal contract within 90 days or within 30 days of assignment to the contractAll employees can be verified within 180 days, if the employer chooses12Federal contractors
14. Sub contractors are required to verify their employees if:The prime contract includes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause The subcontract is for commercial or noncommercial services or constructionThe subcontract has a value of more than $3,000The subcontract includes work performed in the United StatesExempt: Suppliers and work performed outside the US13Sub contractors