US employers must check work visas validity online

Starting the 8th of September 2009, if employers want to win government contracts, they will have to check the validity of US visas of foreign workers online. This comes as the most recent move by the government in order to make sure that immigrants who are hired as employees in the United States are legal residents of the country. In order to check whether a US visa work permit is valid or not, employers will have to use the new E-verify online system.

Starting the 8th of September 2009, if employers want to win government contracts, they will have to check the validity of US visas of foreign workers online. This comes as the most recent move by the government in order to make sure that immigrants who are hired as employees in the United States are legal residents of the country. In order to check whether a US visa work permit is valid or not, employers will have to use the new E-verify online system.

The rules were initially approved under the Bush administration but the same were never implemented. These rules are also applicable to firms which get federal stimulus.

Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, said that the purpose of introducing the E-verify system is not to punish firms for making valid mistakes and that it is aimed to protect the rights of migrants who work legally in the United States. She said that the only idea behind all this is to give employers a tool which does accurate employee verification, respects privacy laws, and is a really strong and legal way to make sure that only legal people comprise of the workforce.

Also, according to the recent amendment passed by the Senate, using E-verify would become necessary for al current federal contractors and sub-contractors.