Albuquerque Immigration Attorney

The Importance of Employment Eligibility Verification

The Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) is used to make certain of an employee's identity and to verify that an individual is eligible to work in the U.S. Although it is a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services form, employers are required to ensure it is properly filled out by employees and kept on file. It applies to citizens and noncitizens alike with the exception of unpaid volunteers, independent contractors, or domestic workers in a private household who are not full-time employees.

An employer may delegate responsibility for these forms to a suitable agent but he or she is still responsible to see that the forms are filled out, verified and filed for each employee. When there is a situation of a contractor utilizing the services of unauthorized workers, the company who hired the contractor may be legally liable.

Maney & Gordon, P.A., is a large immigration firm comprised of 6 offices in 5 cities. With a combined 100 years of experience behind us, we educate employers and employees on how to comply with employment eligibility verification laws. An Albuquerque immigration lawyer from our firm is committed to preventing civil or criminal penalties which can result from unintentional mistakes or misinformation, regarding visa and immigration matters.

Form I-9 Requirements

Form 1-9 requires that an employee provide acceptable documentation to prove his or her identity and authorization to be legally employed in the U.S. Examples of proper documentation are: an unexpired passport, a permanent resident card (Green Card), an unexpired temporary resident card or employment authorization card and, under certain conditions, a foreign unexpired passport.

There are penalties for both employers and employees if employment eligibility verification is incorrectly done or not accomplished at all. The I-9 form itself states, "Federal law provides for imprisonment and/or fines for false statements or use of false documents in connection with the completion of this form."

It is best to be proactive in avoiding trouble by utilizing the services of a firm dedicated to understanding and ensuring compliance to employment eligibility verification.

To understand employment eligibility verification towards prevention of legal liabilities, contact an Albuquerque immigration attorney from our firm.

Follow Us On