What is the Form I-9 and Why is it Necessary in the USA?

Employment Eligibility Verification, I-9 forms are used in the USA to authorize and legally identify the employers hired in the USA for employment. This includes both citizens and non-citizens.

The verification holds up for any person in the USA hired in any of the employment sectors after November 6, 1986, as long as he gets paid. USCIS ( USA Citizenship and Immigration Services) is an agency under the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Read More: How To Avoid Mistakes When Applying for US Citizenship?

It regulates and administers the country’s naturalization and immigration process. Form I-9 is one such mandate released by USCIS.

What are I-9 Forms Used for?

I-9 forms require all employers in the USA to have proper documentation of their legal employer’s identity. These forms get used to avoiding the stifle and influx of undocumented immigrants.

They help to approve only those who have the eligibility and proper identification to be identified as an employer. It is must for every individual to keep a record and copy of the form, failure of which can cost you hefty fines.

New Edition of I-9 Forms, 2020

USCIS published the new edition of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification on January 31, 2020, for its citizens. The latest version comes with new and revised recommendations. The Department of Homeland Security issued this notice.

It announced the official release of the latest version approved by Office of Management and Budget on October 21, 2019. The updated version must be followed and used immediately for new hires. The previous edition is valid until the next 60 days, but after that, only the new version will get entertained.

The new edition can get downloaded through the USCIS’ I-9 Central website and is available in PDF and print format both. New forms are also available in Spanish, but they can only get executed by employers in Puerto Rico. Employers in Washington DC, 50 states and other territories of the U.S. may use the Spanish form as a guide.

But they must fill it in English only. The new version must be followed immediately as of latest considering January 31, 2020. But citizens are given time to adjust their practices as the form is not mandated until April 30, 2020.

You might want to be sure whether or not you are using the right form. One can check the form date in the lower-left corner that must read 10-21-2019 and the expiration date in the top right corner that must read 10-31-2022.

How is the New Version Different from the Previous One?

There are some minor changes in the instructions laid down by the previous form.

• Clarified who can act as an authorized representative on behalf of an employer.
• Updated USCIS website addresses.
• Provided clarification on acceptable documents.
• Updated the process for requesting paper Forms I-9.
• Updated the DHS Privacy Notice.

Beginning on April 30, 2020, employers must make use of the new version only for all new hires and re-verification of the current hires. Citizens must ensure whether they get authorized for employment in the U.S. under the Immigration Reform and Control Act 1986.

Employers are suggested to use the new version immediately and come at ease with it. But, they may continue using the previous one till April 30, 2020, if they wish to.