How to Hire Safely, E-Verify Immigration Eligibility

By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST
Partner
Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP

E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

E-Verify is free and voluntary and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security Numbers.

The internet is catching-up with undocumented workers.

Here’s the link to the E-Verify website at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

While payroll taxes are involved with the decision to hire an employee, the right to work in the U.S. is a legal matter, and therefore, GROCO gives no opinion on such issues. For more information on what an employer is required to do and when, you may want to consult an immigration attorney.

However, E-Verify virtually eliminates Social Security mismatch letters, improves the accuracy of wage and tax reporting, and helps U.S. employers maintain a legal workforce.”

More from the E-Verify website:

Why E-Verify?

E-Verify is a free Internet-based system that allows employers to confirm the legal working status of new hires in seconds. With one click, E-Verify can match your new hire's Social Security Number and other Form I-9 information.

E-Verify reduces unauthorized employment, minimizes verification-related discrimination, is quick and non-burdensome to employers, and protects civil liberties and employee privacy.

Initial verification returns results within 3 to 5 seconds.

Employers ran nearly 2 million employment eligibility verification queries in Fiscal Year 2006.

The top industries using E-Verify include food services and drinking places, administrative and support services, professional and technical services, other information services, and clothing and accessories stores.”

We hope you find this information helpful.  All the additional info you could want on E-Verify is at the above link.