Q : What is E-Verify? How does it work? Why do Federal contractors have to enroll in E-Verify?

E-Verify is a free, Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows employers to verify the employment authorization of their employees. Based on the information provided by the employee on his or her Form I-9, E-Verify checks this information electronically against records contained in DHS and SSA databases.

On June 11, 2008, President George W. Bush amended Executive Order 12989 to direct all Federal departments and agencies to require Federal contractors with a Federal contract that contains the FAR E-Verify clause, to use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of employees performing work under a qualifying Federal contract. On November 14, 2008, the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council published a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) final rule (FAR case 2007-013, Employment Eligibility Verification) that implements the amended Executive Order 12989.