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If you used Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, that you downloaded between Nov. 14 and Nov. 17, 2016, review them to ensure your employees’ Social Security numbers appear correctly in Section 1. There was a glitch when the revised Form I-9 was first published on Nov. 14, 2016. Numbers entered in the Social Security number field were transposed when employees completed and printed Section 1 using a computer. For example, the number 123-45-6789 entered in the Social Security number field would appear as 123-34-6789 once the form printed.
E-Verify Connection is an e-newsletter for all employers and employees. The February issue (PDF) highlights the updated Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9; Office of Special Counsel’s name change; the latest Temporary Protected Status designation; and more.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously extended all Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador designation that were expiring on Sept. 9, 2016, to be valid through March 9, 2017. That was a 6-month extension. DHS automatically extended the validity of the previously extended EADs for an additional 6 months, through Sept. 9, 2017 to avoid gaps in work authorization.
Some individuals applying to renew their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and qualifying for an automatic extension of their EADs under the Jan. 17, 2017 rule, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers,” may have been issued a receipt notice (Form I-797) that does not contain an eligibility category. These notices were issued before Jan. 17, 2017.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Somalia (and those without nationality who last habitually resided in Somalia) for an additional 18 months, from March 18, 2017, through Sept. 17, 2018. DHS also automatically extended current TPS Somalia Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with a March 17, 2017, expiration date for 6 months. These existing EADs are now valid through Sept. 17, 2017.
USCIS published the updated M-274, Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9. The Handbook for Employers provides employers with detailed guidance for completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This version, which published Jan. 22, 2017, replaces the previous version which was published on April 30, 2013. It reflects revisions to Form I-9, which was revised on Nov.
Beginning Jan. 22, 2017, employers must use the 11/14/2016 N version of Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, to verify the identity and work eligibility of every new employee hired, or for the reverification of expiring employment authorization of current employees (if applicable). This date is found on the lower left hand corner of the form. Prior versions of the form will no longer be valid for use. Employers who fail to use Form I-9 (11/14/2016 N) on or after Jan.
Register today to join us on Jan. 31, for a stakeholder teleconference to discuss the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefits for beneficiaries of TPS under the designations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone were extended for 6 months for the purpose of orderly transition before the designations terminate on May 21, 2017. Current TPS beneficiaries will automatically retain their TPS and have the validity of their current Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) extended through May 20, 2017.
Liberian nationals covered under Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) will have their employment authorization documents, which expire Sept. 30, 2016, automatically extended to be valid through March 31, 2017. For detailed information on how to complete or update Form I-9, please click here.