by Dave Katzenmeyer, President, Genesis Background Screening Services
Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals that are hired for employment in the United States. All U.S. employers are responsible and accountable for proper completion of Form I-9 for each person they hire for employment in the United Sates. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised Form I-9 for employers to use for Employment Eligibility Verification. Starting Jan. 22, 2017, employers must use the new version of I-9 that is dated 11/14/2016.
Changes that are in the new form include:
- Changing the wording from “other names used” to “other LAST names used”
- Additional prompts to ensure that information is entered correctly
- Space to enter multiple preparers and translators
- Areas to include additional information such as temporary protected status and optional practical training extensions
- A supplemental page for the preparer/translator
- Instructions separate from the form that include specific information for completing each field.
- A new field at the top of section 2 for Citizenship/Immigration Status
- The requirement that immigrants authorized to work provide their Form I-94 number and foreign passport information has been removed
The changes are designed to reduce errors and make it easier to fill out the form using a computer. Improvements include drop-down lists and calendars for filling in dates with on-screen instruction for the individual fields. There is easy access to full instructions and an option to clear out the form and start over. Once the employer prints the completed form a Quick Response (QR) code is automatically generated that can be read by most QR readers. Employers who are filling out the new form using Adobe Reader will still have to print the form to facilitate signatures and safely store and update as needed for re-verifications.
Employers must retain Form I-9 and make it available for inspection by authorized government officers.
For more information about USCIS and its programs, you can visit https://www.uscis.gov
How can your company avoid risk of non-compliance and possible financial loss? Partnering with a knowledgeable professional background screening company is the best way to be sure your reports are interpreted correctly and that you are compliant with current regulations. Not only can the right partner serve your background screening needs, they can help you implement Best Practices for your Human Resource department – all at an affordable cost. For more information, please contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866-944-0041 ext 101, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com
Genesis Background Screening is not a law firm and provides our blogs for informational purposes only. These blogs should not be considered as a substitute for experienced legal advice. Any laws or regulations mentioned in our blogs need to be researched by your company and any questions you have need to be answered by your legal counsel to be sure your organization is within the law and compliant with regulations.
