The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue Form I-9 flexibility for another nine months until July 31, 2023, according to an announcement. DHS guidance remains the same. Employees who, due to COVID-19 policies, do not report to a physical location on a regular, consistent, or predictable basis continue to be temporarily exempt
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
DHS Takes Step Toward Allowing Virtual, Alternative Options for Examination of I-9 Documents
For more than two years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security has been allowing employers with remote workers to review Form I-9 Employment Verification Authorization documents virtually over video link or by fax or email. That flexibility is set to expire on October 31, 2022. Please see our full legal update…
I-9 Reminder: Unexpired Documents by July 31
Employers whose employees presented expired List B documents for Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification purposes between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2022, must update Form I-9 with unexpired documents by July 31, 2022.
Since COVID-19 prevented various issuing authorities from renewing documents on time, DHS temporarily instituted a policy allowing employees to present…
DHS May Make Employers’ Virtual Inspection of Form I-9 Original Documentation Permanent Option
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering making a change which would permanently allow the flexibility it has extended over employers’ verification of employees’ identity and employment eligibility since March 2020.
Historically, Form I-9 has required employers to physically inspect original documentation presented by employees in a face-to-face interaction. Over the years, workforces have…
I-9 Flexibility Extended to End of October 2022
I-9 flexibility is extended until October 31, 2022, due to continuing COVID-19 precautions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidance remains the same and preparing for the possible end of the flexibility is still advised. Indeed, DHS stated, “[E]mployers are encouraged to begin, at their discretion, the in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility for…
New Form I-9 Is in the Works
A new Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification is in the works. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking comments on its proposed changes to the form.
Used by all employers, Form I-9 has always had many traps for the unwary. DHS, with its proposed changes, is trying to simplify and clarify things.
The proposed…
Temporary Policy for Expired List B Identity Documents to End
As of May 1, 2022, employers can no longer accept expired List B documents for Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification purposes, and any expired List B documents that were previously accepted must be updated by July 31, 2022.
Allowing employees to present these expired documents was a temporary policy instituted by the Department of…
Five U.S. Immigration Law Trends to Watch in 2022
A series of significant developments in U.S. immigration law has already marked the beginning of 2022 and more can be expected. Please see our Legal Update for what to anticipate as the year progresses.
Will Reopening of Social Security Administration Offices Ease E-Verify No-Match Backlogs?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reached an agreement with three of its unions on its COVID-19 re-entry plan.
SSA offices have been essentially closed to the public since March 2020. That affected SSA’s ability to resolve E-Verify Tentative Nonconfirmations (TNCs) due to a no-match between a person’s name and Social Security Number. The result…
ICE: I-9 Flexibility to Continue Through April 2022
ICE has announced it will extend I-9 flexibility until April 30, 2022, due to continuing precautions related to COVID-19.
The guidance remains the same:
- Employees who work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19 continue to be temporarily exempt from the in-person requirements associated with Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, until they start working
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