Video Podcast: The E-Verify System
Cutting Edge Issues on the Federal Web-Based Employment Eligibility Verification System
5/29/2008
On May 21, 2008, members of Mintz Levin's Immigration and Employment practices presented a free online webinar (recorded here) discussing the nationwide voluntary E-Verify program being implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). These two federal agencies have coordinated their databases in an effort to permit employers to better determine employment eligibility of non-U.S. citizens. E-Verify has already been adopted as a requirement or prerequisite for an increasing number of business opportunities such as state and federal contracts—and even some private contracts—and more recently for employers to take advantage of certain employment authorization extensions for employees using the Optional Practical Training period given to F-1 foreign students. Not surprisingly, the program is confusing and full of unknown pitfalls. Understanding E-Verify is a must for all employers, not just those with large non-U.S. citizen employee populations.
In the webinar, the following topics were discussed:
- E-Verify basics, including an overview of the program and the steps to register
- The pros and cons of participating in the E-Verify program
- The ability to extend Optional Practical Training work eligibility for certain foreign national workers only given to E-Verify registrants
- Implications of using E-Verify for employers with multiple job sites, third-party agents, and new hire documentation
