Between the newly revised I-9 Employment Verification Form and the increase in I-9 audits over the past few months, human resources managers, business owners, and anyone who is responsible for completing Form I-9 should be getting prepared for the mandatory September 18, 2017 rollout.
Consider this: Mistakes in a Form I-9 can cost as much as $2,156 per form, so an employer subject to a Form I-9 audit can be looking at fines in the tens and, sometimes, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ouch! (Say goodbye to that holiday party!)
So What’s New?
Employers are required to use the Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization eligibility of their employees. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a newly revised Employment Verification Form, Form I-9, on July 17, 2017.
Some of the changes you’ll encounter include revised instructions in which the name for the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices is edited to reflect its new, abbreviated name, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section. Also, a big change you’ll notice if you frequently fill out Form I-9 is the List C items of acceptable documentation have been renumbered. For a peek at the full list of revisions, click here.
The End Is Near
Employers are permitted to continue using the current form through September 17, 2017, after which this new form becomes mandatory. On the bright side, USCIS also updated the M-274, a handbook for employers that provides guidance for completing Form I-9, so that it’s more user-friendly. Considering how much mistakes can potentially cost your organization, that’s a good thing!
The first step you can take to avoid those fines is to make certain that every person who completes a Form I-9 within your organization receives comprehensive training on how to properly complete the new form. With just weeks to go before mandatory implementation, now is a good time for employers to review their Form I-9 policies and to provide updated training.
Get The Detailed Training You Need For I-9 Compliance
Immigration law attorney Patricia A. Bollman will provide the detailed, comprehensive Form I-9 training your company needs, in an audio conference for AudioSolutionz, “New Form I-9 Released July 17, 2017: How to Make Sure Your Business is Compliant.” This session will provide detailed training on how to properly complete each section of the Form I-9 as well as review the requirements for accepting documents as part of the Form I-9 process. From changes to the Form I-9 to tips and resource materials for those who complete the Form I-9, Patricia provides the in-depth training you need. Patricia has developed an expertise in I-9 compliance issues and teaches an I-9 training seminar to HR and personnel staff for businesses of all sizes and in all industries and will provide answers to your compliance questions during this audio conference, including a discussion on how to properly make corrections to the Form I-9.
