Florida Executive Order in Effect, Requires Use of E-Verify System

Florida’s Governor, Rick Scott, signed an important Executive Order outlining use of the E-Verify System for the public and private employers in the state. As you may know federal law requires employers to employ only individuals eligible to work in the United States and the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify System allows employers too quickly and efficiently accomplish this. Governor Scott has directed all agencies under his direction to verify employment eligibility using the E-Verify System. Additionally, he has directed as a condition of all state contracts, an express requirement that contractors utilize the Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify System to verify the employment eligibility of the following:

a)      All persons employed during the contract term by the contractor to perform employment duties within Florida, and

b)      All persons, including subcontractors, assigned by the contractor to perform work pursuant to the contract with the state agency.

In Section 3 of the Executive Order the governor encouraged those agencies not under his direction to verify the employment eligibility of their current and prospective employees utilizing the E-Verify System. Scott also encouraged contractors to utilize E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of their employees and subcontractors.

The E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. It is a companion to the I-9 Form. The USCIS has information on how the E-Verify System works, accessible in both English and Spanish. Also available is a publication designed to keep the public informed about E-Verify advances, called the E-Verify Connection.

For more detailed information on how Florida employers can utilize the federal E-Verify System visit www.uscis.gov.