Article as posted in the Central Bucks County Chamber of Commerce W4 Magazine Late Fall 2016
By: Kyong Ha Growney, Esquire
On November 14, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released a new revised Form I-9. As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (“IRCA”), the Form I-9 is used by employers to verify the identity and authorization to work in the United States of all newly hired employees.
The new Form I-9 can be identified by the revision date on the lower left hand corner “Form I-9 11/14/2016 N.” According to USCIS, changes to the Form I-9 are designed to reduce errors and enhance completion using a computer.
Employers must use this new revised Form I-9 no later than January 22, 2017. Until then, employers can use the version dated 03/08/2013 or the new version. Penalties can be imposed on employers who fail to use the new revised Form I-9 by the January 22, 2017 deadline. Employers can obtain the new revised Form I-9 on USCIS’ I-9 Central webpage at www.uscis.gov/I-9.
Please note that it is not necessary to complete new forms for current employees who have an existing form on file, unless reverification applies.
Kyong Ha Growney, Esq. serves as Partner and Chair of the Employment and Labor Law Section of Curtin & Heefner LLP. She can be reached at khg@curtinheefner.com or (267) 898-0570.
