Due to Privacy Concerns, New E-Verify Registrants Will Need to Supply More Information

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be implementing additional requirements for employers who register for the E-Verify electronic employment verification system, in order to provide additional protection for employees’ personal information. Previously, registering employers provided E-Verify with their business name, business address, mailing address, phone number and other information, which was then compared to information already in E-Verify’s system in order to prevent duplicate registrations. Now, according to the DHS’s June 2010 Privacy Impact Assessment Update (pdf), employers wishing to register for E-Verify will be required to provide the following additional information:

  • the employer’s “doing business as” (DBA) name (if applicable);
  • the employer’s DUNS number (the Dun and Bradstreet identifier) (if applicable);
  • the name of the employer’s administrator; and
  • the name of the employer’s parent organization (if applicable).

The Privacy Impact Assessment Update cites four main reasons for using commercial data for registering employees:

  • ensuring that only valid companies enroll to reduce the chance of fraudulent companies using individuals’ personal information for illegal purposes;
  • avoiding duplicate registrations;
  • improving the program’s operational effectiveness and customer relationships, and facilitating communications with employers; and
  • measuring effectiveness of E-Verify and managing any future growth of the program should use of E-Verify become required for a larger segment of employers.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.