E-Verify is a free and voluntary system for US employers to verify the legal employment status of new hires. Government contractors are required to use it. The system is administered by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service and has restrictions, including only being used for new hires and not as a screening device for prospective employees. Employees have the right to challenge E-Verify results.
E-Verify is a system that employers in the United States can use to verify the employment status of new hires to confirm that they are legal. This system is free and voluntary for employers who wish to use it, with the exception of government contracted employers, who are required to use E-Verify if they wish to continue receiving government contracts. This system is designed to make it easier and faster for employers to confirm that their workers are legal and discourage people who cannot legally work in the United States.
The United States initially developed this system in 1997 as a pilot basic/employment eligibility program. The deadline was scheduled for 2008, due to concerns about the potential impact of the system on the working climate in the United States. In September 2008, the scheme was rolled out, having received substantial support from members of the government and some employers.
All U.S. employers are required to verify that newly hired employees can work legally, with employees completing a Form I-9 within three days of employment and providing proof of legal status, such as a Social Security card and additional government identification card. Employers who use E-Verify are still required to use these methods, but they can also enter data into the E-Verify system to confirm that it is correct and that an employee is legally eligible to work.
The system is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, under the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration. To participate, employers register and go through a short tutorial before being allowed to use the system. By entering data such as names and Social Security numbers, employers can search for new hires to determine if they are fit to work in the United States.
There are several restrictions on the E-Verify system. Employers can only use it after hiring a new employee, not as a screening device for prospective employees. They can also use it only for new hires, not existing employees. Legally, employers must notify employees when they use E-Verify to verify employment and immigration status. Employees also have the right to challenge E-Verify results if they believe they are incorrect. Mistakes happen, and people who believe they should be legally allowed to work in the United States should definitely challenge system discrepancies that suggest their employment status may be in question.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
