Our firm participated in the webinar (one of many scheduled through the month of September) today, and we were pleasantly surprised — it’s terrific and we highly recommend it.  They walk you through their presentation and also walk you through the actual E-Verify log on and inquiry process.  They answered questions through email and also opened up for a 1/2 hour of live Q&A — very well organized.  For information by telephone, you can call:  888 464.4218.  We will shortly be receiving a transcript of Q&A and links to their presentation and we will share these when received.

If you are interested in setting up a presentation for your organization, or interested in scheduling a live speaker for an event or conference, you can do so by calling the above telephone number or emailing:  E-Verify@dhs.gov

In the meantime, we wanted to share a few resources that we think are worthy, as follows:

1)  Where can you find the law:  Federal Register:  http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26904.pdf

2)  The link to the DHS webpage for E-Verify

3)  FAQ Link

4)  Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Information

5)  How do I complete Form I-9?  http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/E3eng.pdf

6)  USCIS Supplemental Guide 9/8/09 for Federal Contractors

Lastly, there is a very interesting article on this topic in today’s Wall Street Journal that we link to.

We will continue to provide any and all information and resources that we feel are informative on this topic.

In a Wall Street Journal article from August 18th, the new ICE Chief, John Morton, said that the agency is set to increase the number of companies it will audit and systematically impose fines on violators. Violations could also lead to criminal charges, he said.

On July 1, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced an audit of employers to verify whether their employees were eligible to work.  Mr. Morton said that 654 companies are currently being audited and that many more employers will be notified soon that they also will be under scrutiny by the government.

“You are going to see audits regularly and on a larger scale,” Mr. Morton said during a two-day visit to southern California, his first since being appointed four months ago. “You will see the resuscitation of…civil fines.”

If you have not addressed your I-9 issues, we would strongly urge you to do so.  Our Employer Compliance Unit is up to speed on the law, can develop a compliance program that is tailored to your needs and your industry; we can perform onsite or offsite audits and training and can recommend electronic I-9 compliance and reporting systems with optional E-Verify interface if you’re ready to go paperless.

We link to our solutions and services.

For those of you who did not participate in our July 29th audio conference, we link to an MP3 recording of this very informative event.

Guest Speakers:  Thomas J. Joy, Supervising Attorney, Immigration Solutions Business Unit and Employer Compliance Division

Dan Siciliano, Co-Founder LawLogix, I-9 and E-Verify Electronic Compliance Systems

…Considering I-9 electronic reporting and tracking?  Then join us on 7/29/09 for a free audio conference with one of the leading I-9 electronic storage providers and Inc.500 winner, along with a member of our Employer Compliance team.

For the Event Announcement:  http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8780911/i-9-Event-Announcement
Tor RSVP:  info@immigrationsolution.net

We look forward to meeting up with you!

We link to this for your reference. The American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) is requesting that certain provisions in the handbook be clarified or corrected.

And want to remind you of our Audio Conference on July 29th concerning electronic maintenance of I-9s and how to defend yourself in an Audit.

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is launching a bold, new audit initiative by issuing Notice of Inspections (NOI’s) to 652 businesses nationwide – which is more than ICE issued throughout all of last year.  The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records (I-9s) to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regs.

ICE stated in a July 1st News Release, “Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the US.  This form requires employers to review and record the individual’s identity document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual”.

Contact Immigration Solutions for guidance on I-9 audits, transitioning to electronic storage, E-Verify training and procedures.  Now is the time to get your I-9 and employer compliance program in order. We have an experienced, excellent team to assist you.

We link to the ICE News Release

USCIS Handbook for Employers

USCIS has decided that the new US Passport Card may be used for I-9 verification purposes.

The new card provides a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book and expedites document processing at US land and sea ports-or entry for US citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda; however, it is limited in its usage for international air travel.  Thus, it can be used for I-9 processing and also for employers participating in the
E-Verify Program.

It will be considered a “List A” document that can be presented by newly hired employees.

For more information on the new Passport Cards:
Read this article from USCIS