SEPTEMBER PRODUCT FEATURE:
E-VERIFY

All U.S. employers must ensure each individual hired has a Form I-9 completed. This form is just one step to verify the identity and employment authorization in the U.S. More and more locations are requiring an additional step to verify eligibility to work. E-Verify Employment Verification represents the best means available to electronically confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Its employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees by electronically matching information provided by employees on the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, against records available to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

E-Verify is currently available in:

• All 50 states
• The District of Columbia
• Puerto Rico
• Guam
• The U.S. Virgin Islands
• Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

In most cases, E-Verify is a voluntary program. However, employers with federal contracts or subcontracts that contain the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause are required to enroll in E-Verify as a condition of federal contracting. Employers may also be required to participate in E-Verify if their states have legislation mandating the use of E-Verify, such as a condition of business licensing. As of November 30, 2012, a total of 20 states require the use of E-Verify for at least some public and/or private employers:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Eighteen of these requirements were through legislation and two, Florida and Idaho, by executive orders. Two states, California and Illinois, currently limit the use of E-Verify. Finally, in some instances, employers may be required to participate in E-Verify as a result of a legal ruling.

Reasons for using an E-Verify Employer Agent

Employers and participants have the option to have an agent use E-Verify on their behalf. One Source is a proud employer agent with E-Verify since 2008. There are many reasons for employers to have One Source assist in these verifications:

• If you do not have the equipment, such as a computer or Internet access, to use E-Verify yourself.
• You do not have the staff or the time to use E-Verify.
• If you outsource your Form I-9 process or use an employment verification service that also offers E-Verify.