SSA National Payroll Reporting Forum Current Issues in Employment Authorization Lisa Roney Director, Research and Evaluation Office of Policy and Strategy

Alternatives to the I-9? Is an Electronic Employment Verification Program in our Future?  1986 – IRCA allowed demonstration projects  TVS, TVP, EVP, JEVP  1996 – IIRIRA mandated tests of 3 programs  Basic Pilot, CAVP, MRDP  2006 – Legislation calling for mandatory EEVP

Current Basic Pilot  Voluntary and free for employers in all 50 States as of December 2004  Used to verify ALL newly hired employees – all through SSA; noncitizens through USCIS  5,500 employers at 24,000 sites participating in all 50 States – 2/3 are in 10 States  1 million verifications in FY 2005 – 85% instantaneous responses

Program Goals  Reduce unauthorized employment  Minimize verification-related discrimination  Protect civil liberties and privacy of employees  Be quick and nonburdensome for employers  Be cost effective given size of problem  Rely on secure documents

Evaluation Findings ADVANTAGES  Employers more confident  Reduces unauthorized employment  Quick responses  New WEB based platform is cheaper and easier to use DISADVANTAGES  Data not designed for verification – data currency a problem  Employers don’t always follow procedures  Does not detect identity fraud  No dedicated funding source

Should the Basic Pilot be Mandatory? Several Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bills make the Basic Pilot a National Mandatory Program (EEVP)  Sensenbrenner – passed House  Specter  Cornyn -- Kyl  McCain -- Kennedy  Others

Major Considerations  Who is verified? New hires? Current workforces?  Is the program phased in? Employer size?  Who administers the system? SSA? DHS? Independent Agency?  Who pays? Government? Employers? Shared?  How can the program maximize compliance by all types of employers? Publicity, Monitoring?

Issues to be Resolved  How do employers sign up or get on the EEVP?  How is system integrity maintained?  What transmittal modes are needed? Internet, Batch mode, Phone, Mail, Other?  How does the employer who hires very rarely participate?  How are any fees paid?  What technology is appropriate? Card reader?

What is Needed?  Roadmap – legislative requirements  Data improvements  System enhancements; program development  Time – months with funding to prepare  Funding  Evaluation – current and ongoing  Your advice and help!

THANK YOU! Lisa Roney Director, Research and Evaluation Office of Policy and Strategy