Thread: E-Verify Program Set to Expire 9/30/15 (And EB-5 Visa Program)

E-Verify Program Set to Expire

8/11/2015
by Montserrat Miller
Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

The E-Verify program is set to expire 9/30/15 unless it is reauthorized by Congress (cue scary movie soundtrack). So what does that mean for employers who use E-Verify? Will you be locked out of the system come October 1, 2015 if the program isn’t reauthorized by Congress?

Quick recap of the program, which allows employers to electronically verify new hires’ work authorization. The program is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It was created as the Basic Pilot program back in 1996.
Over time it has changed names from the Basic Pilot program to E-Verify.

Over the years it has been reauthorized by Congress for a set amount of time, usually at the last minute. Last time it was reauthorized (in 2012) it was reauthorized for a period of 3 years, until September 30, 2015.

Congress is currently in recess until September 8, although discussions are on-going about reauthorization for this program and three other programs set to expire at the same time (EB-5 visa program, Conrad 30 and religious worker visas).

http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/e-v...-expire-39448/

Conrad 30 Waiver Program


The Conrad 30 Waiver program allows J-1 medical doctors to apply for a waiver for the 2-year residence requirement upon completion of the J-1 exchange visitor program. See section 214(l) of the Immigration Nationality Act (INA). The program addresses the shortage of qualified doctors in medically underserved areas. For more information, see the background on J-1 medical status section below. . .

http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-...waiver-program

R-1 Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers

An R-1 is a foreign national who is coming to the United States temporarily to be employed at least part time (average of at least 20 hours per week) by a non-profit religious organization in the United States (or an organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States) to work as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation. . .

http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-...igious-workers

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

USCIS administers the EB-5 Program. Under this program, entrepreneurs (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for a green card (permanent residence) if they:

• Make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States; and
• Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.

This program is known as EB-5 for the name of the employment-based fifth preference visa that participants receive.

Congress created the EB-5 Program in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program. This sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth. . .

http://www.uscis.gov/eb-5

E-Verify

U.S. law requires companies to employ only individuals who may legally work in the United States – either U.S. citizens, or foreign citizens who have the necessary authorization. This diverse workforce contributes greatly to the vibrancy and strength of our economy, but that same strength also attracts unauthorized employment.E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify is fast, free and easy to use – and it’s the best way employers can ensure a legal workforce.

How to Enroll

Free Webinars

http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify