DHS Publishes Interim Final Rule Amending Form I-9

The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published an interim final rule making changes to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.  Beginning on February 2, 2009, employers will be required to use the new form to verify all new hires and to reverify any employee with expiring employment authorization beginning on February 2, 2009.  The new form will be available for download from the USCIS website by February 2, 2009. Under the interim rule, employers will no longer be permitted to accept expired documents to verify employment authorization.  The rule also adds a new document to the list of acceptable documents that evidence both identity and employment authorization, and it makes several technical corrections and updates.  The two main changes of potential concern include the elimination of an expired U.S. Passport as an acceptable document to prove identity and employment eligibility, as well as a change to the attestation. See attach to view a FAQ page from USCIS on the changes.  Click here to view the complete rule, including an "informational" copy of the revised form.