how do employers know they're hiring undocumented immigrants?

Question

Is there a website one can go to and see if a certain social security number is valid?
BTW, I don't want to be reading any hate response against undocumented immigrants, so don't waste my time....thanks.

Answer 1

http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

Don't think you can use it to randomly check for a valid ssn if you are an illegal. Only businesses can use this and they must register for it through Homeland Security. They are given no information but match or no match when all the employee's data is entered.

E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.
E-Verify is free and voluntary and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security Numbers.
The E-Verify program is continually launching new and exciting changes, such as photo screening features and online resources for employees.

Eventually this should become a requirement rather than voluntary. Also, non compliance letters are sent to employers who have employees with social security numbers that don't match their names or birthdates.

Answer 2

Employers are required to fill out an I-9 form. Which requires 1 or 2 forms of ID depending on the ID shown. Usually a social security card and valid government ID, State ID card, drivers license, ect. If all that ID seems legit the employer cannot be held responsible if the person is illegal. But the ID must match and photo copies are made and the form and photocopies must be kept on premises at all times.

Answer 3

Actually the majority of illegals do NOT have the correct documents and DO use other peoples social security numbers to seek employment. IThey are usually working on visitor visa's for tourism. If they had the correct documents they wouldn't be illegal. Most employers ensure their documents are valid for entire duration of their job because they have invested in this person. The websites you do background checks on show social security numbers, etc. There are services that do backgrounds for most companies at a small charge. Credit checks, etc. Anamolies in social security numbers would come up. There are some good ones out there and good websites you can subscribe too for this.

Answer 4

Several ways. Check their previous employment references, if they don't have any - that's a red flag, for sure - if they do, check the references and request the employers federal EIN number. Obviously, if the potential employee's SS number is different at any of the references - that's a sure sign you don't want to hire the person. Call your local SS office and request a birth date and name - is it the same as the applicants? Check for other identification if necessary - work visa, green card and so forth.
There really isn't any valid excuse for "unknowingly" hiring illegal immigrants - it just takes a little research on the part of the HR manager or employer.

Answer 5

Yes there are ways for employers to know. If it's not the Social Security website then there are other federal and state websites that can check SSNs.

I don't know what the website is, but I know it exists. About 2 months ago the governor here signed a law that required every government agency no matter how small check this website to verify SS numbers.

If interested you should be able to find it pretty easily.

Answer 6

Not sure about when hiring but I know it's very difficult to determine if a prospective renter is here legally. In some towns, apartment-owners have gone under because, despite several attempts since the mid-nineties and as recently as last year, Congress has failed to get a simple, secure ID passed.

So managers are between a rock and a hard place - if they insist on definitive proof they'll get sued for discrimination; if not, they take their chances on citizens finally rising up and passing a law demanding "no renting to illegals". But then, it's too late.

It's frustrating having to share a catalog of numbers and ID's that CAN lead to identity-theft when a simple retina-scan can NOT be stolen. (BTW - all biometric scanners can determine if a body part is still attached. Don't be grody).

What decency is there in permitting illegal aliens, anyway? See this link and you'll agree... not much!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7WJeqxuOfQ

Answer 7

I'm not sure how it works on the employers end, if it gets checked when employee ID's are reported to the feds or what... But, I do know that every single job that I've ever had has required me to provide proof of citizenship, usually my social security card and birth certificate (and I was born here).

Answer 8

If they comply with the Federal I-9 form and guidelines they know. Most employers conduct a background check.

Answer 9

It is not the SSN to allow them working legally at USA. The majorities of illegal immigrants are here with legal documents initially, and become illegal after the document expired. The SSN means nothing. If she said she had a green card, just ask her to bring her green card to you and document it. If she said she has a working permit, ask her to bring that document to you. You need to file federal tax for them too and just ask for formal documents. You can go to INS site for the information about what document you need to check for.

Answer 10

http://www.ssa.gov/bso/index.htm#wage

Here an employer who has already requested and been issued an ID and password may verify a social security number prior to hire.

You cannot use any information garnered from this site as sole grounds for termination of employment.