Two reports have been released regarding customer satisfaction with the E-Verify program as well as the government’s view of E-Verify.
The first was a private customer survey which evaluated the following aspects of the E-Verify program — registration, tutorial, ease of use, technical assistance and customer service. The program scored high in all categories and the overwhelming majority of users were likely to recommend E-Verify to other employers. The government, naturally, issued a glowing statement about E-Verify and the results of the survey.
The second, a 2010 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report states that “USCIS data indicate that E-Verify immediately confirmed about 97.4 percent of almost 8.2 million newly hired employees as work authorized during fiscal year 2009, compared to 92 percent from fiscal year 2006 to the second quarter of fiscal year 2007.” However, the same report finds that there are still problems with E-Verify. Including the fact that differences in how an employee’s name is recorded can lead to a Tentative Non-Confirmation (TNC) (which is why it is so important that individuals consistently record their names on documentation), as well as identity theft and fraud concerns, and privacy concerns in the sense that employees face procedural challenges in correcting erroneous personal information in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases.
The bottom line however is that the E-Verify program is a good program. It’s not perfect, but overall it is a good program. Employers have to individually assess their participation and in doing so should consult with immigration counsel. I often speak with employers about whether they should enroll in E-Verify or not, as there are pros and cons to doing so. It is worth noting for all employers who aren’t currently enrolled in E-Verify, as Glenn Reid sings…”Honey, your time is coming soon enough.” It is just a matter of time before either a state mandates your participation in E-Verify or the federal government does. As the report states, both DHS and the Social Security Administration are taking steps to prepare for mandatory participation in the program. They aren’t there yet, but they are taking steps to do so.