The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have launched E-Verify Self Check, a service that allows individuals in the U.S. to check their own employment eligibility status before seeking employment.

"E-Verify is a smart, simple, and effective tool that allows us to work with employers to help them maintain a legal workforce," said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. "The E-Verify Self Check service will help protect workers and streamline the E-Verify process for businesses."

E-Verify is the first online program offered directly to workers and job seekers. Homeland Security said the program is voluntary, free and fast. It also gives users the opportunity to submit corrections of inaccuracies to their DHS and SSA records before applying for jobs.

As of March 21, E-Verify is available to users who maintain an address in Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Mississippi, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

A fact sheet on the program can be found here.