February 10, 2023

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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has provided a follow-up on the required affidavits from six companies. In this case, these businesses received notices that they must prove to the state indicating E-Verify compliance. According to this follow-up, the state will take action against two Florida-based companies.

As reported by a news source, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity revoked the business licenses of two employers. According to a press secretary from the department, these employers failed to comply with Florida’s law, which went into effect on July 1, 2021. This law required employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify system. Otherwise, they must provide documentation for completing the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9). This requirement would confirm the employment authorization of newly hired workers.

The E-Verify system allows employers to verify identity and work authorization documents against the Social Security Administration and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) records. In addition, the state’s Department of Law Enforcement can request employment verification information to verify compliance. If it discovers non-compliance, it will forward the information to the Department of Economic Opportunity for further action.

According to the original case, the department sent warning letters to the six businesses late last year. Two of the six were not based in Florida but had employees in the state. They must comply with the E-Verify mandate and prove they did not employ unauthorized workers. The department gave these businesses a 30-day deadline to respond, which passed approximately two weeks ago.

Now, the department will inform appropriate state and local authorities to suspend the licenses of employers that failed to comply with these requirements. These authorities comprise the Florida Department of State, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and many others. These employers include a property management company and a company that provides an online portal connecting registered nurses with local healthcare employers.

Until they comply with Florida’s E-Verify requirements, businesses with revoked licenses cannot operate in Florida. This case proves how necessary it is for employers to comply with all employment eligibility verification requirements. Properly following regulations ensure employers avoid potential penalties. The best way to do this is to utilize an electronic I-9 management tool with E-Verify integration. This tool can simplify the process with step-by-step guidance through verifying each employee, helpful reminders, and secure storage of all forms and documentation.

Automate your employment eligibility verification today with the ensured compliance of I-9 Compliance.

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