CAWP News Issue 4-09

I-9 Audits on the Rise

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun conducting audits of employers' I-9 forms and is expected to increase the number of audits substantially over the next several years. As enforcement and monitoring becomes a more pressing concern for contractors, CAWP advises its members to become more thorough in developing procedures to ensure I-9 forms are being properly completed and retained.

CAWP has advised the Unions to ensure that when they dispatch their members to CAWP Contractors, they report to the project with proper documentation to comply with I-9 regulations.
The following provides more information for CAWP Contractors on I-9 Forms.

PURPOSE OF FORM:

All U.S. employers are responsible for completion and retention of Form I-9 for each individual** they hire for employment in the United States. This needs to be done for all new employees. Employers are not required to complete the new I-9 Forms for existing employees. On the form, the employer must verify the employment eligibility and identity documents presented by the employee and record the document information on the Form I-9 on or before the first day of starting to work.

WHAT FORM:

The old edition of Form I-9, dated 06/05/2007, should no longer be used with new hires; the new edition of Form I-9, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009 and a revision date of February 2, 2009, should be used. A new Form I-9 and additional forms are available for download from the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/I-9.

WHERE TO FILE:

Form I-9 must by kept be the employer either for three years after the date of hire or for one year after employment is terminated, whichever is later. The form must be available for inspection by authorized government officials.

** Including Union Employees