#i-9

Latest I-9 Virtual Flexibility Guidance

On Oct. 11, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension to compliance flexibilities governing Form I-9. The extension permits continued remote verification and additional Form I-9 flexibilities until July 31, 2023. ICE initially implemented the policy in March 2020, presumably responding to increased remote employment…

In light of all the shutdowns due to COVID-19, employers who are taking physical proximity precautions, now do not need to review the employee’s identity and employment authorization documents in the employee’s physical presence for the I-9 Form. This announcement was made by U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE) on March 20th, 2020.

Under this new system, employers are first to inspect the Section 2 documents remotely (using video, fax, or email), and “obtain, inspect, and retain copies of the documents, within three business days for purposes of completing Section 2”, according to ICE. Once normal operations resume, employers must inspect documents in person, and then note “COVID-19” as the reason for the delay under the “additional information” field, as well as the “documents physically examined” field, with the date of inspection to that field or Section 3 as appropriate. 

These provisions may be implemented by employers for a 60-day period, beginning from the date of the notice, or within 3 business days after the termination of the National Emergency (whichever comes first). Further, employers making use of this exception are required to provide written documentation of their remote onboarding and telework policy for each employee. It is important to note that this exception is only available to employers operating remotely.

 “If there are employees physically present at the work location, no exceptions are being implemented at this time. However, if newly hired employees or existing employees are subject to COVID-19 quarantine or lockdown protocols, DHS will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis”

Today was pretty alright. I woke up around 8:45 to get ready for work. All I did today was paperwork; the manager showed me around the store too. I didn’t even get through the ethics code because there’s so much to read in those packets, but I’m through with the I-9 and all that jazz. Reading legal terms always feels tricky to me because I don’t know what speed to go at. If you go through too fast it’s obvious that you didn’t read it. If you read it carefully though you’ll never get done and even then you probably won’t remember or understand most of it. The trick is to skim it, but I kept finding myself actually reading it and probably spending too long on it. They have to encourage you to read it all and take your time but you know they’re probably wishing you’d skim it a little faster. Mixed signals are not my cup of tea. I wish they could just look you in the eye and say “this is to protect us legally; if you promise not to sue us or do anything that makes the company look bad sign and proceed.”

It’s such a little thing to worry about. What difference does it make if your orientation lasts a half hour longer than it normally does? Though it’s nothing to lose sleep over, I’ve already had a conversation about it with my dad and with my mom. I get worried over the tiniest things. My manager didn’t have any problem with it. She was super nice the entire time I was in there. I just overthink things too much. Lately I’ve been questioning my ability to read people a little more than I used to.

That’s just how anxiety works I guess. I always feel nervous when filling out forms and trying to absorb legal information. There are too many ways to go wrong and it feels like I’m taking a test. It’s a timed test and but no one told me how much time I had.

If it hadn’t been for that I would say that it was pretty good otherwise. I liked being shown around the store. The organizational system is really nice and I enjoy the products. The kid’s section has little tiny saddle shoes and they are so adorable! Normally you can only find them online as part of a special order but they get some in stock around halloween for all of the fifties themed costumes. I just love that.

There were also scarves that were lined with a fuzzy fabric, not fleece but not exactly fur either. Not really sure what you would call it, but it was soft and pretty. I like shoes more than I thought I did and now I want to get some tights and boot socks. Getting settled into a job is hard, but I think I might really like my job.