According to new statistics released by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), as of April 1st of 2016, some 14% of the approximately 600,000 employers using E-Verify are located in Georgia. This places that state as the highest out of all 50 states in utilizing E-Verify.
That means that some 82,046 employers in Georgia have signed E-Verify Memorandums of Understanding, the legal document describing the shared and agreed upon responsibilities for participation in the program.
When an employer uses the E-Verify program, information provided on an employee’s I-9 form is compared to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as well as records from the Social Security Administration in order to confirm employment eligibility. According to USCIS, over 1.9 million hiring sites now utilize E-Verify.
Even though the E-Verify program is voluntary for most employers on a federal level, some states have passed legislation that require employers to enroll in the E-Verify if they have more than 10 full-time employees or if they hold a public contract.
Other states which also utilize the E-Verify program the most are Arizona, California, Alabama, Missouri, and South Carolina. Of those states that are making the most use out of the program, Alabama, Arizona and South Carolina all have state legislated mandates that require the use of E-Verify for all employers.
Though California is one of the top users of the program, the state prohibits cities and counties from imposing any mandate requiring the use of E-Verify.
Some of the top industries using E-Verify are those in the areas of professional, scientific and technical services, specialty trade contractors, health care, and education. A full list of industries with their rankings can be found at the E-Verify website.
Making sure that the person you hire is eligible to work in this country is important and hiring the right person is only part of the equation. You have to make sure to follow employment standards set down by not only federal, but state and even cities as well. That can be a real challenge at any company, no matter where they are.
At NetPEO, we understand employment law and along with our professional partners, we are h ere to help you with all of your personnel needs. We offer a wide range of services that cover important aspects of human resources management such as payroll services, managing employee benefits, liability management for employers, brokerage services, and employee leasing.
Contact us today to discuss your company’s current needs and to schedule a free assessment. Let NetPEO help you with all of your employee needs.