Columbus I-9 Compliance Attorney
State of Ohio Employment Verification
As a United States employer who wants to rely on foreign workers within your company or business, you need to be acutely aware of I-9 Compliance, as mandated by a Form I-9. Indeed, whenever you hire a citizen or noncitizen alike, you must use a Form I-9 to ensure your new employee is authorized to work in the country. You will also be required to prove your eligibility by completing an I-9 Form if you want to work in the country as an immigrant.
Do you have questions about I-9 Compliance? You are not alone. This employment eligibility form routinely stumps employers of all sizes and employees in all fields, especially when it pertains to an immigration employment situation. For all the legal guidance you need to be certain your Form I-9 are completed correctly, contact Brown Immigration Law and our I-9 immigration lawyers in Columbus.
What sets our law firm apart from others in Ohio?
- We have almost 70 years of collective legal experience.
- We have earned an AV® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.
- Multiple attorneys at our firm have has been named to Super Lawyers®.
Contact our office today to request a consultation with our Columbus I-9 compliance lawyers.
What is Expected for I-9 Compliance?
Both an employer and an employee have several responsibilities when completing Form I-9s. All must be met, or it could lead to complications with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
To meet I-9 Compliance, the following needs to be done:
- Employee must attest to employment authorization and eligibility.
- Employee must provide employer valid identity and employment authorization documents.
- Employer must examine provided documents to reasonably identify authenticity or fraud.
- Employer must fill out Form I-9 with employee provided information as needed.
- Employer must keep at least one copy of completed Form I-9s.
- Employer must produce Form I-9s when USCIS agent requests them.
An employee who needs to prove identification and employment authorization can use a variety of legal documents. Some of the most common examples are government issues driver’s licenses or ID cards, birth certificates or certifications of birth abroad, and passports.
What Happens If I Am Not I-9 Compliant?
The penalties for not maintaining I-9 Compliance depend on whether you are an employee applicant or an employer. As an employee who fails to be I-9 compliant yet works within the United States, your legal ability to be employed in the country can be immediately revoked. You may also lose your immigration eligibility, leading to deportation, especially if the USCIS believes you knowingly falsified your Form I-9.
As an employer who fails to be I-9 compliant, you will most likely face hefty fines. Depending on the number of violations and your company’s compliance history, you could be fined a few hundred dollars per violation, or a few thousand dollars per violation. There is also the potential for being charged with criminal violations, like harboring illegal immigrants, which can be met with prison time upon conviction.
Trusted Legal Guidance from Columbus I-9 Immigration Lawyers
It is so important that you are and remain I-9 compliant as an employer or an employee. Do not risk your freedom, reputation, and ability to provide for yourself and your family by simply guessing as you collect and complete forms. Let Brown Immigration Law be your legal guide.
Call (614) 698-1205 or contact us online now to schedule an initial case evaluation.
