November 15, 2008
Right Side News
Companies that win a federal contract of more than $100,000and subcontractors with contracts of greater than $3,000will have to enroll in the electronic verification mechanism within 30 days of being awarded the work. But those that are less than those numbers DO NOT have to enroll. The bill could have been much stronger...see video clip and also see a good overview from WorkForce.com )
What's New
Information for Federal Contractors
Federal contractors and subcontractors will be required to begin using the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' E-Verify system starting Jan. 15, 2009, to verify their employees' eligibility to legally work in the United States. The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council amended the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to reflect this change.
The new rule implements Executive Order 12989, as amended by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2008, directing federal agencies to require that federal contractors agree to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees. The amended Executive Order reinforces the policy, first announced in 1996, that the federal government does business with companies that have a legal workforce. This new rule requires federal contractors to agree, through language inserted into their federal contracts, to use E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all persons hired during a contract term, and to confirm the employment eligibility of federal contractors' current employees who perform contract services for the federal government within the United States. You can read frequently asked questions about this new rule in the link below.
Introduction of the U.S. Passport Card
The U.S. Department of State began production of the U.S. passport card on July 14, 2008. The passport card may be used by those entering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card is a valid passport that attests to the U.S. citizenship and identity of the bearer and is acceptable as a List A document for the Form I-9. The passport card may also be used in E-Verify if it is presented to an employer for the Form I-9. For more information, please see the U.S. Passport Card link located in the Related Links section of this page.
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program
SAVE has a new public website. To get to this new website see the SAVE link located in the "Related Links" section of this page.
Announcing The E-Verify Informational Seminar
The Department of Homeland Security announces its "E-Verify Informational Seminar" - a FREE two-hour information session. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the E-Verify program and its proper use. A live demonstration of the E-Verify system and a question and answer segment will allow participants to receive a full understanding of the program and key features. (For More Information go to Related Links on the right side of this page)
