What is E-Verify?
(formerly known as Basic Pilot) • In 1996, Congress authorized the development of several employment verification systems as a way to improve upon the paper-based “I-9” system in place since 1986. The “Basic Pilot” is a voluntary electronic employment verification system that developed from the 1996 law. • The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the Basic Pilot program, which verifies employment eligibility by cross-checking information with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) database and it’s own immigration records. • In 2007, DHS changed the name of Basic Pilot to “E-Verify” – although E-Verify remains a voluntary pilot program. How does E-Verify Work? • In addition to examining the employee’s work authorization and identification documents and recording this information on Form I-9, employers participating in E-Verify must also electronically submit certain information about the employee through E-Verify within three working days of hire. • Through
