Employers should begin using a new Employment Eligibility Verification form, Form I-9, effective Friday, March 8.  That is the same day U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the revised form, which is used to verify the identity and employment authorization eligibility of their employees.  Because some employers may need additional time to update their business procedures to implement the new I-9, USCIS is allowing employers 60 days to make the necessary changes.  The revisions include format changes and the inclusion of additional data fields, such as foreign passport information.

Employers do not need to complete the I-9 for current employees if there is already a properly completed one on file, unless a re-verification requirement applies.  Employers may obtain the new Form I-9 online at http://www.uscis.gov/i-9.  USCIS forms are also available by calling 1-800-870-3676.

For assistance in reviewing other employment policies or procedures for compliance, please contact any of the Davenport Evans labor and employment law attorneys: Jean H. Bender, Kristi Geisler Holm, Anthony M. Hohn, Mitchell A. Peterson, or Vince M. Roche.

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one of the state’s largest law firms. The firm’s attorneys provide business and litigation counsel to individuals and corporate clients in a variety of practice areas. For more information about Davenport Evans, visit www.dehs.com.