Employers: Use Updated I-9 for New Hires

by Sue M. Bendavid & Nicole KammMarch 14, 2013

Editor’s Note: A new I-9 manual has been released, which provides information for employers regarding the more obscure procedures involved in completing the updated Employment Eligibility Verification form. Click: I-9 Manual for the pdf version, available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service website.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 for use. All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States.Improvements to Form I-9 include new fields, reformatting to reduce errors, and clearer instructions to both employees and employers.Effective 03/08/13:

• Employers should begin using the newly revised Form I-9 (Rev. 03/08/13)N for all new hires and reverifications. 
• Employers may continue to use previously accepted revisions (Rev.02/02/09)N and (Rev. 08/07/09) Y until May 7, 2013. 
• After May 7, 2013, employers must only use Form I-9 (Rev. 03/08/13)N.

English and Spanish versions of the new I-9 form are available on the USCIS website. However, the Spanish version is only for reference; Spanish-speaking employees must still complete the English version of the form.As a reminder, employers generally must inspect original documents submitted by the employee within three days of hire. It is recommended that copies of the documents and the completed Form I-9 be filed together in a location separate from the employee’s personnel file. The I-9 should be retained for three years after termination.
Sue M. Bendavid and Nicole Kamm of our Employment Practice Group represent employers in matters of compliance and employee claims. Contact them via email: sbendavid@lewitthackman.com, or nkamm@lewitthackman.com, for more information.
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