E-Verify for Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
As a means to verify one’s eligibility to work in the United States, more and more employers are utilizing the internet-based E-Verify program, created by a joint venture between the Social Security Administration and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. At present, registration for E-Verify is voluntary for employers in states where it is not mandated statewide. However, federal rulemaking is becoming increasingly favorable towards the program and laws are in the pipeline to make E-Verify mandatory for federal contractors and other types of employers nationwide. Currently, Virginia does not require employers to use E-Verify.
How May E-Verify Affect You?
Employers. You may be considering implementation of E-Verify for your employees. If so, it is important to discuss the pros and cons of such a system with a knowledgeable immigration attorney, including the drafting of contractual agreements to shield your business in the event of a noncompliance lawsuit. If you operate a business that has offices throughout the United States, you may be affected by individual state laws that require verification of employment through E-Verify. This is particularly true in the construction industry.
Employees, Potential Employees. It is important to keep in mind that E-Verify cannot be used as a means to “weed out” potential job candidates. In addition, E-Verify cannot be used for employees who began working for a company prior to the company’s implementation of the program. If you received notice that you are not eligible to work based on the results of an E-Verify query, contact an experienced immigration attorney to further discuss your rights and obligations.
Our Immigration Lawyer
Jennifer Varughese is the lead immigration attorney at Livesay & Myers. She represents clients throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Contact us to schedule your consultation with an experienced immigration attorney today. |
