I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

Importance of Maintaining I-9 Compliance

Under the terms of federal law, all employers in the United States are required to verify the identity and work authorization of anyone whom they hire to work in the company. In this capacity, employers in Dallas and elsewhere throughout the nation are impressed into service as part of the enforcement arm of the U.S. immigration legal system.

I-9 Requirements for Employers

When you hire an individual to work in your business, you are required to:

• Secure an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form for that person
• Maintain a copy of this form in your records.

Failure to do so can lead to harsh penalties for noncompliance.

Why Is the I-9 Form Required?

The I-9 form is used to supply proof of an employee's identity as well as document the fact that the person is legally authorized to work in the United States. In addition to screening out visa holders who do not have employment authorization, the I-9 form also serves to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining employment.

For U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, this is not an issue. Many of the different types of nonimmigrant visas, however, impose strict limitations on the types of employment which the visa holder may pursue, or may even deny the person the right to work.

Penalties for I-9 Noncompliance

You can be subjected to severe civil and criminal penalties in the event that you are audited and found to be in violation of the I-9 requirements.

Fines for failure to comply can include:

• Hundreds and into the thousands of dollars, and may escalate into the tens of thousands for repeat violations.
• Up to 6 months in prison and $3,000 per unauthorized alien if convicted.

Even if you are trying to avoid violating the I-9 compliance requirement, you may face penalties for mistakenly engaging in discriminatory hiring practices.

To avoid the pitfalls of I-9 noncompliance, hire a Dallas immigration attorney from the Mathur Law Offices, P.C., for experienced legal counsel and dedicated guidance.