Tracker I-9 reports

Earlier this week, E-Verify announced that the photo matching tool will automatically be part of the E-Verify process starting in December 2009. As previously reported, the photo matching process, also known as the photo screening tool, is an automated step in the E-Verify system which prompts you to compare an employee’s DHS-issued photo document with a photo displayed in E-Verify. At present, the photo screening tool will only “activate” when an employee presents a recent version of a permanent resident card (I-551) or employment authorization document (EAD) as proof of employment authorization. According to insider sources, E-Verify is looking to add photos from US passports and state driver’s licenses, but no timeline has been announced as of yet.

The Des Moines Register reports that the family that founded and ran Agriprocessors is claiming the company's human resources manager was responsible for employing hundreds of illegally present workers while the HR manager said she gave warning and was ignored by everyone around her.

The AP reports that Columbia Farms has agreed to pay a $1.5 million fine and managers will avoid jail time.

The criminal trial of Sholom Rubashkin from Agriprocessors on fraud and immigration violations has begun and witnesses are now testifying that the manager of the meat processing plant knowingly hired illegally present workers.

According to the Arizona Star, Represenative Russell Pearce is proposing to let prosecutors subpoena business records and testimony to investigate whether companies are hiring undocumented workers, without first getting a warrant from a judge.

This is likely to become more common:

Former workers at two suburban Chicago businesses filed complaints Tuesday saying their employers violated state law by using the E-Verify database to help determine the employees' legal status to work after they were hired.

The complaints are the first filed regarding the E-Verify system in Illinois, the state which has historically taken the strongest stance against the use of the controversial federal online database.

The complaints to the Illinois Department of Labor allege five Red Roof Inn employees and a former employee with Randstad, a temporary staffing agency in Bolingbrook, were wrongfully fired after E-Verify was used.

Employers need to be very careful about only re-verifying existing employees if they are covered under the FAR federal contractor rules.

State regulators in South Carolina have agreed to end surprise inspections to check compliance with the state's tough new employer compliance law. Officials will now provide three days notice before showing up at an employer's work site.

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