Earlier this week, USCIS launched a new website -- E-Verify.gov -- containing a wealth of information on the free, online tool that allows employers to check if new hires are authorized to work in the United States. Much of the information could previously be found across the agency's main website, but the new site, dedicated to solely E-Verify, makes the information easier to access and presents it in a more effective way.
"For the past decade, E-Verify has been the cornerstone of our continued commitment to helping employers maintain a legal workforce," said USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna. "E-Verify.gov now allows users to better understand and navigate through the employment verification process."
Requiring all businesses to use E-Verify is the single, best action Congress can take to dramatically reduce future illegal immigration. NumbersUSA lists mandatory E-Verify as the top step Congress can take to fix the broken immigration enforcement system. The launch of the new website will make it easier for employers and workers alike to see the true performance of E-Verify and cut through some of the falsehoods spread by employers who wish to continue hiring illegal workers.
Here are just a few of the key features offered on E-Verify.gov:
- Participating Employers -- E-Verify.gov includes a search tool so workers can find companies that are currently using the system. It also provides a data file with a complete list of participating employers. NumbersUSA has a link to this search tool featured at NumbersUSA.org.
- Performance Data -- The website contains the most up-to-date performance data in easy-to-read pie charts. In FY2017, more than 34 million new hires were run through E-Verify with 98.91% of them receiving immediate work authorization.
- Usage Statistics -- Heat maps on E-Verify.gov show users the states with the most employers using E-Verify, the number of actual hiring sites, and usage in FY2018 and over the past 365 days. It's not surprising that the states with mandatory E-Verify laws in place are among the states with the most employers using E-Verify, but there are a few others that stand out. California leads the country with the most hiring sites despite the state's anti-E-Verify law. Illinois also ranks among the states with the most hiring sites despite its efforts several years ago to prevent employers from using the system at all.
- E-Verify Enhancements -- USCIS has created a single page to list all of the enhancements made to E-Verify over the last 8 years. One of the chief criticisms of E-Verify is that illegal workers with fraudulent documents can often slip through the system. But enhancements over the years, including the photo matching tool and data sharing with state motor vehicle agencies have made E-Verify much more effective at detecting these fraudulent documents.
- Worker Tools -- The Self Check and E-Verify Lock features have been around for several years, but again, the new website makes it much easier for American workers to find and use these tools. The Self Check tool allows workers to check their employment eligibility prior to obtaining a job, so they can investigate any issues beforehand. The E-Verify Lock tool allows workers to lock their Social Security number, so it can't be used fraudulently by illegal workers.
CHRIS CHMIELENSKI is the Deputy Director for NumbersUSA
