Starting July 1, 2023, private employers in Florida with at least 25 employees will be required to utilize E-Verify, a digital immigration verification tool, during their onboarding process.
On May 10th, Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, signed into law SB1718, which increases penalties for noncompliance and for employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. To avoid penalties, employers must complete the I-9 form within three days of a new hire’s start date to verify identity and employment authorization in the United States. E-Verify, an online tool operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, can be used by employers to electronically verify employment eligibility for all new hires, regardless of citizenship. Employers who use E-Verify in good faith will not be presumed to have knowingly hired unauthorized workers. While the system is currently mandatory in Florida for certain employers, the new law expands the requirement to all private employers with at least 25 employees. Employers with fewer than 25 employees are encouraged but not required to use the E-Verify system. Employers can enroll in E-Verify by visiting www.e-verify.gov
If you are an employer who will now be required to use E-Verify, it is important to review your obligations promptly.
