In less than a week, employers are required to use the new I-9 Form to verify the identity and employment authorization of each employee hired in the United States. The revised I-9 Form takes effect May 8, 2013. Employers could face up to $1,100 per violation if they fail to meet the rules.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) released the form on March 8, 2013 after making several improvements designed to minimize errors in form completion. The key revisions to Form I-9 include:
- Adding data fields, including the employee’s foreign passport information (if applicable) and telephone and e-mail addresses.
- Improving the form’s instructions to more clearly indicate what is required of the employee and employer in each section.
- Changing the layout of the form, and expanding the size from one to two pages (not including the form instructions and the List of Acceptable Documents).
The USCIS also has published a Handbook for Employers to provide additional guidance.
To make certain that no errors occur, employers should begin using the new I-9 as soon as possible so that they do not run the risk of using an old form after the May 7 deadline. To order USCIS forms, employers can call a toll-free number (1-800-870-3676) or visit USCIS’s I-9 Central web page at
www.uscis.gov/I-9Central.
You can read our previous blog post for more information about the new I-9 Form. If you have questions, contact a member of our
Collins & Lacy Employment Law team or call 803-256-2660.
