Business Immigration Insights

Employers enrolled in the E-Verify program were unable to access the E-Verify system during the recent government shutdown.  While employers were still required to complete paper I-9s for new hires, they were not able to enter the data into the E-Verify system within the required three days.  USCIS has issued guidance for E-Verify participants.  The guidance addresses handling tentative non-confirmations received between September 17, 2013, and September 30, 2013; SSA final non-confirmations; and how to comply with the three-day rule (which must be completed by November 5, 2013).

The Social Security Administration (SSA) updated its web page to provide information about how the government shutdown affects SSA’s services.  While local SSA offices will provide some limited services, the offices will not be able to issue new or replacement Social Security cards.  This may adversely affect new visa holders arriving in the United States to begin their temporary employment with US employers.  A list of the limited services SSA will provide can be found HERE. 

While the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains operating during the government shutdown, E-Verify services are not available.  This means that companies cannot enroll in E-Verify, and those already enrolled cannot verify employment eligibility, make changes to an account, or run reports.  The USCIS has provided limited guidance on their site.

Employers enrolled in E-Verify must continue to complete Form I-9 for new hires during the shutdown, even though the three-day rule for verifying employment eligibility online is suspended.  When the shutdown is over ...

As Congress failed to reach an agreement to avert the unthinkable, the US Government shut down at midnight.  This will affect some immigration-related government agencies:

• US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),which processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visa petitions, will continue operating.  Petitions already on file will continue to be processed, and new petitions will continue to be accepted.  eVerify will not be operating during the shutdown.
• US Customs and Border Protection, which conducts inspections of those arriving by land, air, and sea, and enforces ...