SSA National Payroll Reporting Forum Current Issues in

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 DISADVANTAGES § Employers more confident § Data not designed for verification – data currency a problem § Reduces unauthorized employment § Quick responses § Employers don’t always follow procedures § New WEB based platform is cheaper and easier to use § 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 § Mc. Cain -- 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 – 12 -18 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