Description:

DHS surprised Employers, legal minds, HR associations, and professionals when they moved to modernize employment eligibility verification, by taking additional steps to provide certainty and flexibility for American businesses. Rather than examining an employee's identity and employment authorization documents in person, employers who participate in E-Verify and are in good standing will have the option to conduct verification electronically and with a live video call interaction. This will be a different flexibility than what the current DHS has provided for Employers.

Employers who 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 choose to use the new alternative procedure starting on August 1, 2023, to satisfy the physical document examination requirement by Aug. 30, 2023. Employers who were not enrolled in E-Verify during the COVID-19 flexibilities must complete an in-person physical examination by Aug. 30, 2023.

Now that DHS has finally launched the new I-9 form, Employers need to adapt to the new changes which include new instructions and many other changes. Employers need to establish a remote option now that this option is no longer available.

DHS has determined that users of E-Verify will be able to utilize what is called the Alternative Procedure where users in good standing can view their I-9 forms via video. It will be interesting to see how this evolves and if DHS will expand this option.

What You Will Learn

- DHS launched the new I-9 Form and identified some of the changes.
- Separate I-9 Form Instructions are now available.
- Employers can use the current expired I-9 form until October 2023.
- Effective November 1, 2023, you need to use the new I-9 Form.
- Other changes that are part of the New I-9 Form.
- Learn when the I-9 Manual (m274) will be available.
- DHS has allowed the I-9 Remote Alternative Procedure only for E-Verify users.
- Other requirements that are part of the decision of the DHS E-Verify process of Alternative Procedure.
- What criteria should be written in the I-9 Form when using the E-Verify option?
- What requirements are mandatory when using the E-Verify Alternative Procedure option
- How to properly use the Additional Information Field when it comes to reviewing documents and using the New E-Verify Alternative Procedure Option.
- The clock is ticking for Employers who are mandated to review physical ID documents by the August 30, 2023, deadline.
- Best practice when reviewing documents before August 30, 2023, Deadline.
- How to review documents if they are different than the original IDs used.
- How to effectively review IDs to meet requirements.
- How to conduct an internal audit now to make the changes easier.
- How training of staff will be critical to meet the requirements.