U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) June 13 launched an updated version of the E-Verify online employment verification system website.
According to USCIS, the new design will make the website easier to navigate, will minimize errors and has new security features that will mask Social Security numbers and minimize the chances of fraudulent access.
The improved website comes just months after a January report found that E-Verify wrongly authorizes about 54 percent of illegal immigrants to work in the United States. A September 2009 rule makes the use of E-Verify mandatory for all federal contractors, but it is still available to non-federal contractors on a voluntary basis.
Designated agents are not required to implement this new version of E-Verify immediately, so employers that use a designated agent should check to see whether these changes will be reflected immediately in the interface that is provided.
Before using the updated system for the first time, users are required to complete a 20-minute tutorial.
For more information, visit
www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.