Federal Partners –, Marshalls, Micronesia, Palau

Washington, D.C. - (August 2012) - The E-Verify program is an internet based service provided through a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) partnership which can be used by employers all over the United States and in the territories to verify employment eligibility of newly-hired employees free of charge.

In 2011, E-Verify was used to verify employment eligibility of over 17 million employees, and in 98% of cases, verification is instantaneous. In the cases where a query might render “Tentative Non-confirmation”, employers are required to provide applicants with further information on how to proceed with further verification through either DHS or SSA.

In February of this year, the E-Verify program launched an additional service which can be used by any potential employee, including citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau, who would like to verify that their documentation and paperwork establishing employment eligibility are in order. The E-Verify Self Check service can be accessed at https://selfcheck.uscis.gov/SelfCheckUI/.

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is collaborating with the Governments and the Embassies of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau and with U.S. federal agencies to help ensure that citizens of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau are aware of their rights and responsibilities under their governments’ respective Compact of Free Association with the U.S. Government so that, while residing in the United States, they may avail themselves of the opportunities necessary to be productive and engaged members of their local communities.

Under the Compact of Free Association with Palau, Palauans are required to obtain the Employment Authorization Document (USCIS Form I-765). OIA strongly recommends that citizens of the Marshall Islands and Micronesia also obtain the Employment Authorization Document (USCIS Form I-765) to facilitate and expedite verification of employment eligibility.