New Form I-9 Effective April 3, 2009

Starting April 3, 2009, employers must use the new version of the Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (Rev. 02/02/09). The Department of Homeland Security also has issued a revised Handbook for Employers to be used with the new Form I-9. The new form and handbook are available on the I-9 Compliance page of the Fisher Phillips website. The new Form I-9, among other things, narrows the list of acceptable documents to show identity and work authorization and eliminates the use of expired documents. Please view our January 20, 2009 Legal Alert for a detailed description of the proposed changes. All employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each employee hired after November 6, 1986 to show that the employee is authorized to work in the United States. Additionally, the employer must re-verify documents for any employees whose work authorization documents are expiring.

If you are using the Fisher Phillips Electronic I-9 Solution program to electronically complete and store I-9 forms, the software will automatically use the current and proper version of Form I-9.

For more information contact any of the attorneys in the Fisher Phillips Global Immigration Practice Group at 404.240.4224.

This Global Immigration Alert is provided as an informational overview of this topic. It is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, legal advice for any particular fact situation.