Form I-9 Related News

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas extended and redesignated Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Oct. 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. Sudanese nationals and noncitizens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan may submit an initial registration application under the redesignation for TPS for Sudan and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas extended and redesignated Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Oct. 20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. Current beneficiaries who want to maintain their status must re-register from Aug. 21, 2023, through Oct. 20, 2023. Ukrainian nationals and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ukraine may submit an initial registration application under the redesignation for TPS for Ukraine and apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Employers enrolled in E-Verify during the COVID-19 temporary flexibilities may use an alternative procedure to satisfy the requirement of physically examining Form I-9 documents that had been examined remotely under the COVID-19 flexibilities.   In May 2023, ICE announced that employers had until August 30, 2023, to physically inspect all documents that had been examined remotely using the COVID-19 flexibilities.   On July 25, 2023, DHS announced an alternative procedure for Form I-9 in a Federal Register Notice. Based on the Notice, employers who meet four requirements may choose an alternative procedure in lieu of physically examining Form I-9 documentation that had been examined remotely under the COVID-19 flexibilities.  To qualify for the alternative procedure, the employer must have:  

The new version of Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification (PDF, 483.6 KB) is now available for use. This version contains changes to the form and instructions, including shortening the Form I‑9 to one page and reducing the instructions to eight pages. What Form I‑9 versions may be used Employers may begin using the new Form I‑9 today, Aug. 1, 2023. The Form I‑9 dated "10/19/2019” may continue to be used through Oct. 31, 2023. The version date can be found at the lower left corner of the form. Beginning Nov. 1, 2023, only the new Form I‑9 dated "08/01/23” may be used. A revised Spanish Form I‑9 dated “08/01/23” is available for use in Puerto Rico only. A summary of changes (PDF, 185.1 KB) to the Form I‑9 and instructions is available online.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new version of Form I‑9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers must use Form I‑9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of their employees. Now only one page long, the new edition is easier for employers and employees. Other improvements include clearer instructions and providing guidance on acceptable receipts and the auto-extension of some documents found on the Lists of Acceptable Documents. Employers may begin using the new edition beginning Aug. 1, 2023, but may continue to use the 2019 version of the form through Oct. 31, 2023. Beginning Nov. 1, 2023, only the new Form I‑9 dated ”08/01/2023” may be used. The version date can be found at the lower left corner of the form.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded the termination of the designation of Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended TPS for Nicaragua for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded the termination of the designation of Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended TPS for Nepal for 18 months, from Dec. 25, 2023, through June 24, 2025.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas rescinded the termination of the designation of Honduras for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extended TPS for Honduras for 18 months, from Jan. 6, 2024, through July 5, 2025.