In December 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new and revised Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) related to the E-Verify electronic employment eligibility verification program. The MOUs have a revision date of June 1, 2013 that may be found at the bottom of each MOU page. The revised MOUs became effective for new users on December 8, 2013. For existing users, the effective date is January 8, 2014. To view the MOUs, visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/publications/memos/publications-memorandums.
The MOUs are tailored to each E-Verify access method – Employer Access or Employer Agent Access and Browser Users or Web Services Users. USCIS retitled and revised three current MOUs for E-Verify browser users and also added three new MOUs for Web Services users and developers. According to a E-Verify MOU Fact Sheet from USCIS:
- The E-Verify enrollment process has not changed. New users will review and execute the new or revised version of the MOU that applies to their access method during enrollment. The effective date of the MOU for new users is December 8, 2013.
- Existing users will not need to execute a new MOU, but are bound by any and all enhancements to the E-Verify program including the new or revised MOU that applies to their access method. The effective date of the MOU for existing users is January 8, 2014.
- Existing users are strongly encouraged to review and become familiar with the new or revised MOU that applies to their access method.
All of the new and revised MOUs include improved language and organization to make them clearer and easier to understand. Changes include:
- MOU titles that clearly identify the access method to which the MOU applies.
- More plain language, active voice and reorganized content to improve flow and readability.
- Bullets have been changed to letters and numbers to make searching and citation easier.
- Lengthy sections have been broken up.
The new and revised MOUs also include several updated provisions, such as enhanced privacy protections and instructions for reporting privacy and security breaches. The E-Verify MOU Fact Sheet from USCIS – the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States – is available at http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Verification/E-Verify/E-Verify_Native_Documents/Fact-Sheet-E-Verify-MOU.pdf.
The updates to the MOUs will be reviewed in a free ‘E-Verify for Existing Users’ webinar on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 1:00 PM EST. To attend the session, visit https://connect16.uc.att.com/EventEntry/Websites/?VaccId=uscis&ExEventID=83363072. The full free E-Verify webinar schedule is available at http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/e-verify-webinars/take-free-webinar.
E-Verify is a free web-based program that allows employers to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees to work in the United States. Employers submit information taken from the Form I-9 all new hires must complete through E-Verify to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to see if the information matches government records. For more information about E-Verify, visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
A Designated E-Verify Employer Agent such as Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) – a nationwide background check firm accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) – can help employers with E-Verify and Form I-9 compliance. For more information about E-Verify services from ESR, visit http://www.esrcheck.com, call Toll Free 888.999.4474, or email sales@esrcheck.com.
About Employment Screening Resources® (ESR):
Founded by safe hiring expert Attorney Les Rosen in the San Francisco, CA-area in 1997, Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) – ‘The Background Check Authority®’– provides accurate and actionable information that empowers employers to make informed hiring decisions for the benefit of their organizations, employees, and the public. CEO Rosen literally wrote the book on background checks with “The Safe Hiring Manual” and ESR is accredited by The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), a distinction held by a small percent of screening firms. Employers choosing ESR know they have selected an agency meeting the highest industry standards. To learn more about ESR, visit http://www.esrcheck.com, call toll free 888.999.4474, or email sales@esrcheck.com.
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