New Website Provides Workers with Access to E-Verify Information

On October 6, 2014, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the creation of a new website, myE-Verify, that is related to the E-Verify program and is intended to help workers combat fraud and protect against identity theft. It also will serve to educate employees by providing information on worker rights in the I-9 and E-Verify processes. Whereas E-Verify program was originally designed for employers, this new myE-Verify website is bringing workers into the fold.

Overview of E-Verify

E-Verify is a federal program that was created to help companies verify the employment eligibility of workers. With some exceptions, enrollment in the program is voluntary, but employers are offered certain incentives to enroll, as discussed in the NewsBrief, E-Verify Self-Assessment Guides for Employers. The E-Verify program has been promoted as an effective way for companies to reduce the risk of employing individuals who do not have permission to work in the United States.

Ability to Self-Check Employment Authorization

With myE-Verify, individuals will have a free and secure way to self-check employment eligibility. If the system indicates that the person is not authorized to work, and the individual believes this to be an error, myE-Verify provides instructions on how to resolve the matter.

Limited Roll-Out Initially

The myE-Verify website is initially only being made available to workers in Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The USCIS intends to eventually expand the website to include workers in other states and to provide additional online features.

Conclusion

The Murthy Law Firm applauds the efforts by the USCIS to provide workers with access to their own employment eligibility information contained in the E-Verify system. This should help to improve the reliability and accuracy of this important program. MurthyDotCom will continue to track developments related to E-Verify and post updates as warranted.

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