On April 29, 2005, a new law took effect that allows employers to sign and store Form I-9 electronically. The Professional Landcare Network was part of the I-9 Coalition that helped change the new law. The U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) Division at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted "interim guidelines" on its Web site for employers to use on a temporary basis while DHS finalizes a new regulation implementing the electronic I-9 law. Although the new regulations have not been completed, DHS and ICE have issued interim guidelines to assist employers as they move from paper-based processes to the new electronic signature and storage methods authorized by last year's law. The interim guidelines are available on the ICE Web site at www.ice.gov/graphics/news/factsheets/i-9employment.htm.
Exactly when the final regulations will be published in the Federal Register remains undetermined. At present, the final draft is awaiting approval by DHS, which then will forward the draft to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). After approval by OMB, the regulation will go to print in the Federal Register. This process could still take several months.
Additionally, employers should note that they are *not* required to make a copy of any of the documents given to them for verification, but that they must view the originals. However, if employers choose to keep copies of documents for one person, they must keep copies for all employees. For this reason, some suggest that employers not keep copies on file of those documents viewed for any employees. Employers should keep I-9 forms for the required time. For further information, call the Office of Business Liaison Employer hotline at 800/357-2099.
Source: Professional Landcare Network