USCIS Seeks Additional Comments on Revised Form I-9
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept comments until April 27, 2016, on the revised Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. In response to the approximately 130 public comments USCIS received during the previous 60-day notice, USCIS made further changes to the proposed form. Key changes to the form include:
- Validations on certain fields to ensure information is entered correctly;
- Additional spaces to enter multiple preparers and translators;
- Dropdown lists and calendars;
- Embedded instructions for completing each field;
- Ways to allow users to access the instructions electronically, print the form, and clear the form to start over;
- A dedicated area to enter additional information that employers are currently required to notate in the margins of the form;
- A quick-response matrix barcode, or QR code, that generates once the form is printed “that can be used to streamline audit processes”;
- Requiring employees to provide only other last names used in Section 1, rather than all other names used;
- Removing the requirement that those authorized to work provide both their Form I-94 number and foreign passport information in Section 1;
- Separating instructions from the form, in keeping with USCIS practice; and
- Adding a Supplement in cases where more than one preparer or translator is used to complete Section 1.
USCIS noted that after the 30-day comment period ends and public comments are considered, the agency may make further changes to the form.
