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Homeland Security Relaxes Worker Documentation Following Katrina
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is temporarily relaxing worker documentation standards for workers displaced by Hurricane Katrina who do not have access to their social security numbers, work authorization documents or even their drivers’ licenses.
During the grace period, DHS will not bring sanctions against employers for hiring individuals evacuated or displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina who are otherwise eligible for employment.
As part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, employers are responsible for completing and retaining Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) documentation for individuals they hire. During the grace period, however, employers still will be required to complete the I-9 form as much as possible.
DHS began a 45-day grace period for I-9 documentation on Sept. 6. At the end of the period, DHS will review its policy and make further recommendations. The temporary relaxation reflects DHS’ acknowledgement that many victims of Hurricane Katrina may have left their personal documents at home when evacuated to safer ground, and that many of these records may have been damaged or destroyed.
It also takes into account that many government facilities in the affected areas have been damaged and that there is little opportunity for many victims to apply for and receive replacement documents in the time usually stipulated by employment verification rules.
See the DHS press release for more information.
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