Relaxed Verification Process for Form I-9 is Extended Through End of 2021

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced another extension of the interim documentation process required to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 Form due to COVID-19. These temporary requirements have been extended until December 31, 2021. 

 

Why it Matters: 

Employers must consider starting to conduct in-person verification for those who were hired and verified remotely on or after March 20, 2020. Once the extension terminates, all employees who were on-boarded using remote verification must report in-person for a physical inspection of documents, verifying their identity and employment eligibility within the first three days of their return to work. This can be done as employees return to the worksite to avoid the rush to conduct in-person verification and re-verification within the three business days deadline. Reminder—all employers must use the new Form I-9 that was issued on May 1, 2020—click here to download the new form directly from the USCIS website. 

 

Interim Form I-9 Documentation Process: 

• Allows companies to review the form’s Section 2 documents remotely, such as over video link, fax, or e-mail, within three business days of the worker’s start date. 
• Section 2 in the Additional Information field states: employers must note, “COVID-19 / Remote inspection completed on (date)” as the reason for the delay in physical inspection. 
• Employers must keep an accurate list of all employees whose I-9 verification was conducted remotely. 
• See Cardinal’s original post for details on completing a “remote” I-9 document verification. 

 

I-9 Training Offered by Sequoia Personnel Services

Employers need to ensure that company staff who are processing a Form I-9 are well-trained. Specialists are available to train your staff for the correct Form I-9 processing. To arrange a tutorial, please  reach out to SPS at (800) 342-4742.