Justification for change

Request for E-Verify Survey

Reason for Data Collection

Since there is currently considerable interest with the E-Verify Program on the part of Congress and the current administration in greatly expanding the current program and possibly instituting mandatory employment verification for all or a substantial percentage of the nation’s employers, it is critical that USCIS assess and make improvements to the current program as expeditiously as possible. This work will explore how well the E-Verify program has done since FY2006-2007 on the major program goals to reduce unauthorized employment; safeguard privacy; not increase discrimination against work-authorized employees; and not being unduly burdensome for employers.

Data Collection Instruments

The E-Verify data collection instruments being submitted consist of: (1) a Web survey of employers, (2) an employer site visit protocol; and (3) an employee site visit protocol.

The employer Web survey and site visit protocol focus on opinions concerning program participation, employer implementation of E-verify, and program effectiveness. Specific areas include: experiences in system implementation; setup and maintenance costs; and views of E-Verify, including the newly implemented Photo Tool.

Interviews with sample employees who were not instantly verified will focus on their experiences during the recruitment, hiring, and verification of employment authorization. This will include information about their contacts with USCIS and SSA, understanding of the verification process, perceptions of discrimination in hiring and employment, and the costs and burdens associated with resolving authorization problems.

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