The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the COVID-19 temporary flexibilities for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, will end on July 31, 2023. After this date, employers MUST complete in-person physical document inspections for employees whose documents were previously inspected remotely during the temporary I-9 flexibilities by August 30, 2023.
Will we ever go back to remote inspections for I-9s? Hopefully in the near future. In recognition of today’s work environments and advances in technology, DHS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking last year. The proposal creates a framework under which DHS could pilot various options, respond to emergencies similar to COVID, or implement permanent alternatives to in-person inspection upon finding that such procedures offer an equivalent level of security. DHS anticipates publishing a Final Rule in the Federal Register that will implement this proposal.
If you have questions on Form I-9, be sure to contact our firm today!