Business Immigration Insights

On July 1, 2010, the Vital Statistics Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico began issuing new, more secure Puerto Rican birth certificates to US Citizens born in Puerto Rico.  As of October 1, 2010, all certified copies of Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to July 1, 2010, will no longer be valid.  Accordingly, the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a press release providing guidance to US employers with regard to the I-9 process.  For new employees, employers may continue to accept all Puerto Rican birth certificates through September 30, 2010; after that date, only the new Puerto Rican birth certificates (issued on or after July 1, 2010) we be acceptable for I-9 purposes.  Therefore, as of October 1, 2010, employers must pay close attention to the issuance date of Puerto Rican birth certificates presented for I-9 purposes.

For existing employees, there is no need to re-verify the employment authorization of employees who previously presented pre-July 1, 2010, Puerto Rican birth certificates.  Federal Contractors subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation E-Verify clause may continue to accept all Puerto Rican birth certificates prior to October 1, 2010, but beginning on that date, only the new Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010, will be acceptable.  Federal Contractors may not ask for the newer version during I-9 reverification of those individuals who previously presented the older version of the Puerto Rican birth certificates.