USCIS to Release New I-9 form
Recently, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they will release a new version of Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 on August 1st, 2023. Employers should begin using the new form immediately but must switch to the new form by October 31st, failure to do so could result in penalties.
The USCIS requires all employers to use Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every new employee hired within the United States. Employers rely on this form to determine if employees have the right to work in the country and avoid violating any employment laws.
The new I-9 form will include several new features that are designed to streamline the verification process. For example, condensing section 1 and 2 so they fit on the same page, eliminating the requirement of N/A fields in black spaces, and providing a checkbox option for alternate, DHS-authorized, document examination procedures. Additionally, the form will be available in a fillable PDF format, which is expected to simplify the verification process for employers.
While these updates may seem minor, it is important for employers to make sure that their hiring and HR teams are up-to-date on the changes, and that the new form is implemented as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in costly fines, lost productivity, and legal liability.
In light of these changes, employers must ensure they are well informed and prepared to make the necessary updates to their hiring processes. Now is the time to review your organization’s I-9 compliance policies and procedures, and ensure that your team is ready to comply with the new requirements.
Do you have questions on the rollout of the new I-9 form? Our highly skilled employment law attorneys are readily available to provide expert guidance and support for all your employment law needs.