DHS to Offer Option to Examine Form I-9 Documents on August 1

On July 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will publish a final rule that provides alternatives for certain employers to examine Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, documents remotely beginning on August 1.

The final rule will explain how certain employers can remotely examine Form I-9 documents beginning on August 1. To participate in the remote examination option for Form I-9 documents, employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, examine and retain copies of all documents, conduct a live video interaction with the employee, and create an E-Verify case if the employee is a new hire.

Document Recheck Due by August 30

Employers that were participating in E-Verify and created a case for employees whose documents were examined during COVID-19 flexibilities (March 20, 2020, to July 31, 2023) may use the new alternative procedure to satisfy the physical document examination requirement by August 30. Employers that were not enrolled in E-Verify during the time of the COVID-19 flexibilities still must complete an in-person physical examination by August 30.

USCIS to Release New Form I-9 on August 1

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it will publish the revised Form I-9 on August 1. The revised Form I-9 will include a checkbox that employers enrolled in E-Verify can use to indicate they remotely examined identity and employment authorization documents under the alternative procedure.

To learn more about federal and state laws, regulations, and information to keep your company's payroll operations in compliance, check out Payroll Source Plus!

Jyme Mariani, Esq., is Managing Editor of Payroll Currently and Senior Manager of Payroll Information Resources for PayrollOrg.