Text of New I-9 Forms Coming into Effect for April 3, 2009

 

New I-9 Forms will come into effect on April 3, 2009.  Known as the employment eligibility verification form, this is an immigration form used by all employers as proof of the identity and employment authorization of their employees. It is not filed with nor submitted to the immigration service but rather retained by the employer for the applicable period of time. Use of previous editions after April 3 will not be acceptable.

The new form requires the use of unexpired documents during the employment verification process; eliminates the use of outdated employment authorization documents under "List A"; adds the passport card as an acceptable "List A" document; adds a temporary I-551 printed notation to an immigrant visa in a foreign passport as an acceptable document; adds passports issued by the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia as acceptable "List A" documents. Failure to comply with I-9 completion and retention can result in administrative fines and penalties and in some cases, criminal penalties.

Helpful information can be accessed by referring to the immigration service website at "uscis.gov" and click on the Form "I-9" menu selection in the left hand margin. Further assistance may be found under that link by going to the employer's handbook noted in the right -hand margin of the I-9 materials.

For inquiries, please contact Rosa Svisco.

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