On February 28, 2017, USCIS published a new Handbook for Employers (“Handbook”) to accompany its updated version of the Form I-9, dated 11/14/2016 N. The new Handbook is a useful resource for employers because it addresses an employer’s I-9 compliance obligations, requirements under federal law, and common issues employers come across when completing the Form I-9.

By way of background, under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each new employee hired. The purpose of the Form I-9 is to verify the identity of each new employee and ensure that the new employee is authorized to work in the United States. The Form I-9 contains a list of acceptable documents for establishing an employee’s identity and authorization to work. Those documents include a U.S. Passport, Permanent Resident Card, driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate, among others. More importantly, federal law requires employers to physically examine each document—with the employee physically present—to determine if the document reasonably appears to be genuine and relates to the employee presenting it.

Below is a list of some of the changes that employers will find in the Handbook:

• How to properly complete the revised Form I-9
• Policy and regulatory changes in connection with the Form I-9 since 2013
• Updated Frequently Asked Questions Section
• Features updated tables, new figures, and more current sample documents
• Explains guidance regarding automatic extensions for certain Employment Authorization Documents

A copy of the new Handbook is available here.  With the new administration’s push to crack down on unauthorized immigration, employers are wise to review their I-9 compliance obligations and internal policies.