OREANDA-NEWS. September 23, 2015. The deadline for reauthorization of E-Verify® is looming with September 30, 2015 quickly approaching.  While everything on Capitol Hill is fluid, it is looking more and more likely that the E-Verify program will (at least) be extended on a short-term basis in a continuing resolution (CR) which is needed to fund the federal government past the end of the month.  Meaning, that authorization for the program will (a) not expire on September 30th but (b) we will see a short term reauthorization possibly through the end of 2015.   Procedurally, language reauthorizing the program could move in different ways.  It could be inserted in the CR, or moved as a stand-alone measure through unanimous consent in the Senate and suspension in the House of Representatives.  Regardless of how, at this time it appears that given the very limited legislative days remaining in September, we may see a short term extension of the E-Verify program to allow negotiations to continue in both chambers to re-authorize the program on a long-term track of 3 or 5 years.

It is important to note that reauthorization of the E-Verify program is part of a package of immigration-related programs requiring reauthorization as they all expire September 30, 2015.  This includes the Conrad-30 program, religious worker program and the EB-5 investor program.  The latter program is heavily influencing the negotiations and changes are expected to the program.  At this time the other three programs, including E-Verify, will see a straight reauthorization of time while the EB-5 program will experience substantive changes.  Having said that, the E-Verify program is always the subject of discussion among members of Congress, eager to expand its use, including mandatory use of the program for all employers nationwide.

Should it happen, a short-term extension of the E-Verify program will not impact operations of the program.  But what if no extension is granted and E-Verify is shut-down?  During this time, employers are not able to create E-Verify cases to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.  However, when E-Verify is shut down, Equifax Workforce Solutions I-9 Management solution maintains a record of cases to be submitted to E-Verify.  Once E-Verify is reinstated, Equifax I-9 Management would submit applicable E-Verify cases – allowing for E-Verify processing to occur with minimal burden on the employer.

Equifax will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as available via the Equifax Insights Blog.