2024 I-9 Form Update: Essential Changes and Audit Compliance

Overview:

The recent updates to the Form I-9 and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) guidelines mark essential compliance changes for U.S. employers. Effective August 2, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has mandated that employers transition to the latest edition of Form I-9, dated 08/1/23, with an extended expiration date of May 31, 2027. This form, available exclusively on the USCIS website, ensures compliance while clarifying acceptable expiration dates—either 07/31/2026 or 05/31/2027.

A significant policy adjustment, introduced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on April 8, 2024, extends the automatic renewal period for EADs up to 540 days for eligible applicants. This temporary rule addresses the increased volume of EAD renewals and USCIS processing times, preventing work authorization lapses for nearly 800,000 applicants over the next two years. It applies to those who:

• Filed a Form I-765 renewal on or after October 27, 2023, and whose applications remained pending as of April 8, 2024.
• Filed a Form I-765 renewal between April 8, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Employers are advised to review employee records for any EAD holders under this extension, ensuring re-verification for affected employees by November 4, 2024. Additionally, organizations should prepare to update their electronic I-9 systems to reflect the new 05/31/2027 expiration date, completing this transition by July 31, 2026, as older forms will no longer be compliant after this date.

As part of these updates, new provisions in E-Verify compliance allow employees expanded options for verification. With E-Verify’s NextGen program expected to launch fully in 2024, organizations can anticipate a reduction in I-9 errors often attributed to common employer mistakes. The NextGen initiative is designed to streamline I-9 corrections, minimizing the error rate in completed forms.

Employers are encouraged to conduct internal or external audits to verify that their I-9 forms align with current requirements and identify any areas needing correction. DHS has outlined critical error-prone areas for 2024, underscoring the importance of timely reviews to prevent non-compliance. With anticipated compliance audits ahead, this training session will provide clarity on these recent updates and best practices, ensuring a proactive approach to I-9 compliance management in the evolving regulatory landscape.

Areas covered during the session:

• Although the I-9 document appears like a simple document, more than 72% of Employers have I-9 Documents with errors;
• Learn how to effectively complete the new 2024 I-9 Forms
• Learn why there is a new 2024 I-9 Form and what the changes are
• Learn what the errors are based on the new I-9 changes to the I-9 Form.
• I-9 documents can be audited by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and many DHS investigators know this is a weakness for most Employers;
• Disgruntled employees can turn in Employers for I-9 document violations which will bring DHS to your doorstep!
• Learn what the new updates are for the EAD documents and how it will impact you.
• Learn the right way to correct I9 documents now there have been changes and save your company from unnecessary violations.
• What is the minimal risk Employers have when establishing an I9 document Correction & Storage Process?
• Learn if outsourcing your internal I-9 Audit can save you time and protect the company from ICE audits
• How long should I9 documents be retained for active and terminated employees?
• Why are most HR professionals or those responsible for processing I9 documents still violating the request for documents section?
• Learn what can you do if you have remote employees when it comes to I9 forms using the DHS extended I-9 Form remote option.
• Learn what the new E-Verify program allows for
• Learn how the E-Verify NextGen Program will streamline the I-9 form correction process once it is launched in 2024.
• Learn about guidelines on how to prepare for an audit from DHS

Why should you attend?

As U.S. immigration enforcement intensifies, ICE has shifted its focus from random audits to targeted investigations, frequently acting on anonymous tips or evidence of potential non-compliance. This shift means that employers now face increased risk of inspection, often with little warning, making it crucial to stay updated on every aspect of I-9 form compliance to avoid costly fines and legal complications.

This webinar provides a structured, step-by-step approach to mastering the latest I-9 form requirements. Participants will gain clear insights into recent updates, from filling out the form accurately to correcting common errors that may otherwise go unnoticed until an audit or investigation. With the evolving standards for verifying work eligibility, understanding best practices for I-9 compliance is essential to protect your organization.

Attending this session will also help you implement effective internal audits and corrections that align with DHS standards, reducing potential exposure to legal and financial repercussions. This comprehensive training will ensure you’re equipped to meet the demands of today’s regulatory landscape with confidence, safeguarding your company from unnecessary risks associated with I-9 compliance lapses.

Who will benefit?

This webinar is essential for professionals responsible for managing, verifying, or overseeing employee work authorization and compliance, such as:

• HR Managers
• Compliance Officers
• Payroll Administrators
• Hiring Managers
• Talent Acquisition Specialists
• Operations Managers
• Legal and Risk Management Professionals
• HR Generalists
• Employee Relations Specialists
• Corporate Counsel
• Business Owners
• Office Managers
• Recruitment Coordinators
• HR Assistants
• Immigration Compliance Officers