Budget

DHS expands E-verify employment checks

The E-Verify program is expanding to include U.S. passports and passport cards for employment verification.

Federal News Network Staff

November 11, 2010 2:30 pm

< a min read

By Jolie Lee
Federal News Radio

The E-Verify program is expanding to include U.S. passports and passport cards for employment verification, according to a release from the Department of Homeland Security.

E-Verify is a free, web-based system to check employment eligibility. Since 2007, DHS has operated the system in partnership with the Social Security Administration.

“E-Verify is a smart, simple and effective tool that helps employers and businesses throughout the nation maintain a legal workforce,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. “Including U.S. passport photo matching in E-Verify will enhance our ability to detect counterfeit documents and combat fraud.”

The expanded capabilities are part of “major anti-fraud initiatives,” said Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas.