USA E Verify online authentication system still shut down

Due to the continuing budget approval crisis and government shutdown, the essential E-Verify online system is still not available, causing problems for employers wishing to verify new expat staff.

The Federal online programme allows employers to check workers’ names, their social security numbers, proof of citizenship and other details in order to comply with regulations about hiring illegal immigrants. The system also verifies whether foreign citizens have the necessary authorisation to be able to be hired by a US company.

With the service now not working, fears are surfacing that a high number of employers may have new staff stuck in limbo and unable to legally take up their positions. The Director of Human Resource Consulting at Bagnall.Co, where the programme is mandated, is advising that companies in this situation should still attempt to comply will immigration law.

New hires, she suggests, should be kept on the payroll at the present time, with the hope that the stalemate in the House will be resolved shortly. She also advises companies to continue hiring if they need staff from overseas for their future growth.

The checks are required on all states’ federal contract work and on 17 states’ other types of employment, with experts considering that the shutdown is bad news as it sends the wrong message. Jessica Vaugn from the Centre for Immigration Studies think-tank,says the message is that government considers the service is unimportant, adding that as it’s an automated programme it needn’t have been closed down.