U.S. Citizenship And Immigration Services Releases E-Verify Compliance Activities For Fiscal Year 2015

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 600,000 employers in the U.S. are currently enrolled. E-Verify is voluntary in Illinois, but is mandatory for certain Federal Contractors and for employers in some states. The USCIS has designated a specific division, called the Monitoring and Compliance Committee, to monitor E-Verify employers. This committee observes system use to help users comply with the E-Verify user requirements and applicable laws. While E-Verify does not fine employers, it may refer cases of suspected misuse, abuse, and/or fraud to appropriate agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Special Counsel. According to the USCIS, in the fiscal year 2015, the committee contacted over 113,000 employers (via e-mail, telephone, and site visits) for possible misuse. In addition, the committee reported potential misuse, abuse, and/or fraud to other agencies for investigation for over 900 employers. Employers who enroll in E-Verify should carefully review the requirements in order to ensure compliance.