AGC Webinar Addresses Changes to Form I-9 and General Immigration Compliance

AGC recently hosted a webinar on The New Form I-9: What You Need to do to Avoid the Pitfalls and Stay Compliant.  An on-demand version of the webinar is available for purchase from the AGC Bookstore. As of May 7, 2013, all employers are required to use a new Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form.  The new form comes with new rules affecting which documents can be used to verify the employment eligibility of workers and is longer and more complex than the previous version.  There are also new instructions and additional data fields for employees and employers. During the webinar, immigration attorney David Whitlock of Miller & Martin, PLLC, walked participants through each section of the new form, identified the changes and educated them on how to remain compliant.  Some of the areas specifically addressed by Mr. Whitlock include the new spaces for the employee’s email address and phone number and the new 3-D barcode box.  He also explained when it is appropriate for employers to complete the “preparer” section of the form.  In addition, Mr. Whitlock discussed issues related to the physical address used on the form by employees working away from home, form I-9 storage for existing and former employees, and the proper use of the reverification and rehire section of the form – an often confusing section for construction employers that routinely lay-off and re-hire workers. Before the close of the webinar, Mr. Whitlock advised employers to conduct periodic self-audits of forms and correct any errors prior to an audit.  Details were provided on the proper way to correct errors and steps to take should a Notice of Inspection be received. For more information on immigration compliance, please visit AGC’s Labor and HR Topical Resources web page.  Select the main category “Other Legal Issues” and the subcategory “Immigration and Employment Eligibility.”