With the ever-increasing need for some employers to hire non-U.S. citizens, using CIC's Electronic Form I-9 process makes it easier for you and your employees to ensure compliance with U.S. employment law.
What is Form I-9?
Form I-9, or the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, is a government requirement that businesses use to verify the identity of their employees. The form is used to verify the employment eligibility of individuals who are applying for work in the United States.
If you are a business owner, it is important to know how to properly verify an employee's identity with Form I-9. By verifying an employee's identity correctly, you can help to ensure compliance with the government's employment eligibility requirements.
Why Does the Department of Homeland Security Require a Form I-9?
To be eligible to work in the United States, an employee must present a valid I-9 form to their employer. The form must be signed and dated by both the employee and the employer. The employee must also provide proof of identity and lawful employment in the United States.
If an employee does not have a valid I-9 form, they may be denied entry into the United States and may be subject to fines or imprisonment. Employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers may be subject to penalties including fines and imprisonment.
How do Employers File Form I-9s?
Employers must file an Employment Eligibility Verification form with every new employee. The I-9 form is used to verify the employee’s identity and employment eligibility.
There are a few different ways that employers can file I-9 forms. The most common way is to electronically file the form with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Employers who choose to electronically file I-9s must comply with all the same requirements as employers who choose to file the form manually.
Another way for employers to file Form I-9 is through an online service provider like Corporate Intelligence Consultants. These providers act as intermediaries between the employer and DHS. They provide employers with all the necessary software and services to file I-9s online.
Employers who elect to use an online service provider must comply with all the same requirements as employers who elect to electronically file Form I-9 through DHS.
Employers who choose not to electronically file Form I-9 must still file the form with DHS in a format that is acceptable to them. This format typically includes a hard copy of the form and a copy of the employee’s identification document(s).
Employers are required to file Form I-9 within three business days of a new hire and must include the following:
- A copy of the employee’s valid photo ID
- A completed Form I-9
- The employee’s signature
If an employee fails to provide valid photo ID or a completed Form I-9 when requested, the employer is considered in violation of federal law and may be subject to fines or other penalties.
How Can Employers Improve Compliance with an Electronic I-9?
The I-9 form is an important document for employers to keep track of their employees’ immigration status. However, many employers have found that compliance with the I-9 form is difficult.
One way that employers can improve compliance with the I-9 form is by using electronic filing systems. This system allows employers to electronically submit the I-9 form and receive confirmation that the form was received.
Another way that employers can improve compliance is by training their staff on how to correctly fill out the I-9 form. Employees should be taught about the requirements of the I-9 form and how to identify potential immigration violations.
Employers should also make sure that they have up-to-date software, like CIC's Employment Screening platform, in order to properly process the I-9 forms.
Finally, employers should keep a record of all I-9 forms that are filed in order to track compliance with federal immigration laws. This record will help to ensure that all required documentation has been submitted and that any potential immigration violations have been investigated.
Here are some tips to organize the process.
Why Should Employers Participate in E-Verify?
In addition to completing the required I-9s for employees, employers should consider participating in E-Verify because it can help to improve compliance with the immigration laws.
E-Verify is a program that helps to verify the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. It is operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
There are several benefits to participating in E-Verify.
- It can help to ensure that employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.
- It can help to prevent unauthorized workers from getting jobs at your company.
- It can help to reduce employee turnover rates.
- It can save you money by preventing illegal immigrants from claiming social security and other benefits that are available to U.S. citizens.
If you are still hesitate about whether or not to participate in E-Verify, please contact us for more information. Our team will be happy to help you decide whether or not it is right for your business.
Compliant Pre-Employment Screening with Electronic I-9 and Optional E-Verify
Electronic I-9 management and E-Verify are important for employers to ensure a high level of compliance. By using electronic tools, employers can automate and improve the process of verifying employee identity.
When you use CIC's Employment Screening system, the process of managing and submitting an I-9 is made easier for both you and the new employee.
With CIC, you save time by automating the process of verifying and reporting new employees all while remaining compliant with employment law.
In addition, if you have added our E-Verify product, the electronic I-9 process will capture all of the necessary information needed for E-Verify and will automatically submit it upon completion of the Form I-9.
The system will then create a compliant PDF I-9 form that you can store electronically or print and file for your records.
Set up a time to explore the Electronic I-9 and E-Verify features of our convenient Employment Screening system. CIC will assist you every step of the way.
For more information about this article, or general Employment Screening Services, please contact us at 1.800.573.2201 / 419.874.2201.
