Introduction
In this video, we're going to look at the Form I-9. When you start a new job, you need to fill this form out to show that you have the legal right to work in the United States. The I-9 is the Employment Eligibility Verification form.
Section 1 is the section that you complete as the employee. Section 2 is for the employer to complete.
Anti-discrimination Notice
Let's first look at the notice at the top of the form, the Anti-discrimination Notice, and break in down so that you understand your rights as a worker in the U.S.
"All employees can choose which acceptable documentation to present for form I-9."
For example, you can show your U.S. passport or you can show your U.S. driver's license and social security card. It's your choice.
"Employers cannot ask employees for documentation to verify information in section one."
For example, employers can't ask you for a driver's license to verify your physical address.
"Employers also cannot specify which acceptable documentation employees must present for section two."
For example, employers can't require all non-native workers to present a permanent resident card for verification. It is your decision as the employee on which documents to present to your new employer.
There's also a supplement B re-verification or rehire. So if you come back to the same job within a certain period of time, then you may be able to fill out a shorter version of this I-9 form. But it's still your decision on which documentation to present to your supervisor.
"Treating employees differently based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin may be illegal."
If you feel that you are being treated differently than other employees because of where you are from or your immigration status, you may be able to take legal action against your employer.
Example Information
Let's look at an example using this information:
Name: Juan Carlos Castillo Arrellano
Address: 145 Blair Dr. #B10, Jackson WY 83001
Date of Birth: January 27, 1995
Social Security Number: 123-45-6789
Email: juancarlos2701@mail.com
Phone Number: (307)413-1234 // 307-413-1234
Permanent Resident Card (USCIS# or A-number)
USCIS# 012-345-678
SECTION 1: Personal Information
Name
In the example, his last name is Castillo Arrellano and his first name is Juan Carlos.
You may have a middle name. So you can write the first letter (middle initial) of your middle name.
Other Last Names Used could be, for example, a maiden name. I am married and my last name is Vulcano. But before I was married, my last name was Schultz. So I would write Schultz as an Other Last Names Used.
Physical Address
Juan's physical address is 145 Blair Drive, apartment B10, Jackson, Wyoming 83001.
The street number is 145. The street name is Blair Drive. (You can type out the whole word Drive or use the abbreviation Dr.) The apartment number is B10.
The city is Jackson. The state abbreviation for Wyoming is WY. The zip code is 83001.
Other Personal Information
Here we write Juan Carlos's birthdate. The month is first -- January is 01. The day is second -- 27. And the year is third -- 1995.
Juan Carlos's social security number is 123-45-6789. His email address is juancarlos2701@mail.com. His phone number is 307-413-1234.
Citizenship or Immigration Status
Next is the verification of citizenship or immigration status.
If you are a citizen of the United States, you select (X) number 1. That's it.
If you are a permanent resident, you select number 3. You also need to write the USCIS number from your permanent resident card on the line. (I see many employees skipping this important part.)
If you are a non-citizen authorized to work in the U.S. until a specific date, you select box number 4 and write the expiration date from your card. Also, for number 4, you need to fill out ONE of the boxes: USCIS number, I-9 admission number, or foreign passport number and country of issuance.
For our example, Juan Carlos selects number 3 and writes the USCIS number from his permanent resident card on the line.
Sign & Date
You must sign and date Section 1.
Remember that the English format is mm/dd/yyyy (2-digit month/2-digit day/4-digit year).
After finishing Section 1, return the form to your employer.
SECTION 2: ID Verification
Your employer will fill out Section 2.
Employees need to show in person (or face-to-face online) one item from List A OR a combination of one item from List B AND one item from List C together. The employer needs to verify that the items presented "appear to be genuine and relate to the employee" listed on the I-9 form.
So in our example, Juan Carlos could present only his permanent resident card OR the other common combination is a U.S. driver's license and social security card.
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