The I-9 program is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) way of ensuring that potential candidates for jobs in the United States are legally able to take up employment. The form requires that candidates provide proof of their legal immigration status.
For United States citizens, this could involve providing a United States passport, or a combination of a Social Security card and a driver’s license. Non-citizens could rely on a permanent resident card or a foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp that provides authorization to work. Employers must take copies of these documents and keep them on file for potential inspection. A Wheaton I-9 compliance lawyer could provide more information about the I-9 program and its role in ensuring a legal workforce.