Report: I-9 accuracy becoming more important

The number of employers using the E-Verify online database to determine eligibility of foreign workers has increased significantly since last year, according to a recent report from an Irvine, California-based background screening company. According to the report, there was an increased emphasis on accuracy and compliance during pre-employment screenings, as the number of respondents currently using E-Verify rose from 28 percent in 2010 to 51 percent this year. Furthermore, 11 percent of those who reported not using the screening software plan to do so in the near future. "We've seen a significant increase in demand for E-Verify … in the past 12 months," said the screening company's senior vice president of customer solutions, Rob Pickell. "The continued increase of related legislation, companies’ growing interest in ensuring employment eligibility … and the demonstrated accuracy of the federal verification system are driving the adoption of automated solutions and E-Verify." However, I-9 form accuracy is still an issue among employers - especially those who manually complete the documents. An estimated 35 to 55 percent of I-9s contain missing information, which can carry fines up to "tens of thousands" of dollars for repeat offenders. E-Verify protects jobs for legal workers by checking the Social Security numbers of new immigrant or foreign hires.