E-Verify is a database operated by US Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide an automatic link to Government records to help employers confirm employment authorization. It is a great resource for employers, after they have filled out Section 2 of Form I-9.
Although E-Verify is mandatory for Federal Contractors, it is currently voluntary for private employers in Utah with fewer than 150 employees. The Utah legislature is currently considering a bill (HB 214) that would change the law by making E-Verify mandatory for employers with 5 or more employees – which would cover almost every employer in Utah! Interestingly, the current language of HB 214 does not have any "teeth" or penalties for small employers who fail to comply. We are watching this E-Verify issue closely for our business clients, and we will provide updates in future HR newsletters.
If you would like our team of HR Lawyers to help you and your business with any E-Verify questions, please give us a call at (385) 224-4888. We’re here to help!
