Tell HN: I-9 Debacle Nationwide
Unfortunately the DHS has revoked these temporary policies and is apparently requiring every employer to re-verify documentation that might have been virtually "verified" previously (so they're saying that it was never verified at all and the virtual attempts don't count.) https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/temporary-policies-related-to-covid-19
There are other alternative methods that may be used, actually, to virtually re-verify over a live video session: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/new-e-verify-employers-may-use-alternative-procedure-for-form-i-9-documents-examined-remotely-during
If this is widespread as it seems to be, it could place thousands of jobs in jeopardy. I don't understand why this is going down, and I'm dismayed by the way it's being handled.
24 comments
[ 1.6 ms ] story [ 63.8 ms ] threadIn my unique situation, this is, perhaps uniquely, very difficult to do. I contacted an official Notary Public who refused. My church refused. So did my dentist.
I connected with a coworker who offered to help, and flaked on Sunday, so now I'm waiting 'til Friday to hopefully possibly get'er done, but I'm becoming nervous and the employer is issuing veiled threats about jeopardizing our employment if we don't do this thing that's their responsibility in the first place.
Also they've known about this whole thing since before May, but only sprung it on us a couple of weeks ago.
I had to do this and it’s just an online form asking if they’ve seen your documentation.
It requires a modicum of trust on the part of the person I'm asking. Yes, I could slip $5 to a bum at the train station to do it, if I felt like giving him my phone. Perhaps I'm not creative enough to think of people. But yes, I really know that few people who are physically nearby. Basically, all of my friends and family are remote. I have an active social life but it's all online.
I asked a Notary and they flat said no. Likewise with the offices I visit; I mean, that's just not their job, and it's a liability problem. My employer refused to provide a person to do this. It's the employer's obligation to get this done. They're absolutely passing the buck here, and way too far. Of course they won't be the one to get in trouble if this fails, they'll just fire us all.
You are making your own barriers here, for what reason I don’t know. This is a lot simpler than bringing your passport to the office, even if you work in the office.
I've been employed with the same employer for 3 years. They verified me on hire, 2 months after the lockdowns. The feds inexplicably want to erase all that work and redo it from scratch.
It's their responsibility to verify me and complete this form. They used to have an office right down the street, and I know they still retain a sizable staff in my area. They should have no problem designating an employee to just go around and verify people.
I didn't make these barriers, the buck-passing cost-cutting low-information folks did it for me. They told us we have 3 days from receipt to finalize this. They knew about this before May (May was when the deadline got a 30-day extension) and they're springing it on us with such urgency now! Well pardon me!
If they can't handle an I-9 in good faith, they have no business hiring. Everyone who employs someone has to have that link of process done.
Anyone who isn't your employer is absolutely justified in refusing. It is a huge liability for anyone else but your employer to do it, as lying to the feds, da-da-da-daaa...is a crime.
For your employer, it's cost of doing business. For anyone else, it's really sketchy af. The Notary Public would have had the best chance of being accommodating, but if it were me, I'd want to hear from your employer directly why my services were required, and to whom to send the bill. As you should not be on the hook for any costs therearound, and they really shouldn't be sending you scrabbling to strangers for a vouch.
Good luck.
Yes, "sending the bill", this is an interesting thought. I'm going to require transportation to and from the meet point, if my coworker can pull this off on Friday. I do believe I'll send two taxi receipts to my employer, because this is the cost of them doing business.
Presumably your employment is at-will? If so, you're right, it's not your "responsibility", you are free to terminate this employment relationship, and seek another employer who has an I-9 process that is more to your liking. Likewise, your employer is free to terminate the employment relationship, and seek another employee who is able to complete their (outsourced) I-9 process.
If this seems like an insurmountable administrative task to you, I suspect you will have limited career success in most organizations of any size.
What's shocking is that everyone needs a redo over 3 years later. Also shocking, they can't avail themselves of the virtual verification option which is provided for exactly our situation.
My employer is not "free" to terminate us, they will be legally required to do so, or suffer stiff penalties. To say we're "free" to quit is callous, ignorant, and rude.
They might also just voluntarily elect to do that as performance management / business decision, or the easiest way to resolve a problem.
Did you say the same thing when you showed up for your first day of work and they asked to verify your identity the first time around? Why is this any different?
don't really see the point.
I had a 2 minute meeting with HR to verify my passport. It was the least inconvenient thing I’ve ever done for the government.
We’ll survive this.
It was really the missed connections with my coworker that wasted all the time, because I was counting on her alone, and let her set the schedule, rather than just find someone who could immediately do the thing. And perhaps I was a bit too eager just to meet a coworker in person after all this time. So I wasted, like, over a week and a half of stress.
Well I didn't garner much sympathy here, and anyone who said I'm working for the wrong company is very wrong, but thank you for engaging.