It is time to update your new hire packets, or a great time to do a simple audit with your payroll processing company to ensure they are ready for the changes.
USCIS & DHS have (FINALLY) revamped their I9 to reflect current times; As long as your company participates in E-Verify, you can continue viewing your new hire documents remotely.
Here are a few of my favorite highlights:
*Sections 1 & 2 are now on 1 page
*The list of acceptable documents has been updated
*Section 1 Preparer / Translator Certification and Section 4 for rehires and reverifies now have their own pages, to be printed / used as needed
*Now has a checkbox to indicate if the documents were viewed remotely (which is allowed as long as your company participates in E-Verify)
*If you do not participate in E-Verify, effective 7/31/23, you are to resume physical examination of documents due to the end of the National Emergency that has been in place since 2020.
Compliance Check: Are you aware that E-Verify has been required in Alabama since 4/1/2012? If you are you using an automated or nationwide payroll processor, check with them. It is not required in every state, therefore several processors do not have this added function. If they say they do, you should be receiving the E-Verify Confirmation Number for all of your new hires.
The full list of revisions can be found at USCIS To Publish Revised Form I-9 | USCIS
Further information regarding remote versus physical examinations of documents can is here: Federal Register :: Optional Alternative 1 to the Physical Document Examination Associated With Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)
Stacy Cooper, SHRM-CP
7/30/2023