USCIS Incorporates Passport Data into E-Verify Program

In an effort to reduce the amount of Tentative Non-confirmations (TNCs) being issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), the Service has teamed up with the Department of State (DOS) and has incorporated DOS passport data into the E-Verify employment authorization program.

Before this joint effort, foreign born citizens were receiving far more mismatches (otherwise known as tentative non-confirmations) than U.S. born citizens. Those who received TNCs had to physically visit a Social Security Administration (SSA) office in order to attempt to resolve the issue. Before this enhancement, receiving a mismatch was a scary and tiresome burden to overcome.

However, now, if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the SSA is unable to immediately confirm a citizen’s work eligibility, the USCIS can check DOS passport records prior to issuing a TNC. Accordingly, if citizenship information provided on Form I-9 matches those records, E-Verify will then confirm the individual’s work authorization. Additionally, for those foreign born U.S. citizens who receive TNCs, they may now sort the issue out over the telephone with the USCIS rather than physically entering a SSA office.