E-Verify Is Back Online: What HR Teams Need to Do Now

Key Takeaways

• E-Verify is back online following its temporary shutdown.
• Employers can once again create new cases, resolve Tentative Nonconfirmations, and manage accounts.
• Days when E-Verify was unavailable do not count toward the three-day submission rule.
• Employers must now submit delayed cases and document that delays were caused by the system outage.
• HR teams should maintain detailed records to demonstrate good-faith compliance.

Introduction

After a brief suspension caused by the federal government shutdown, E-Verify has officially resumed operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) restored access in early October 2025, allowing employers to once again confirm employee work eligibility.

This restoration is significant because E-Verify typically remains offline throughout government funding lapses. For HR professionals, this means it’s time to catch up on verification backlogs and reinforce compliance documentation.

What’s Back Online

With the system restored, employers can now:

• Create and submit new E-Verify cases for employees hired during the shutdown period.
• Resolve Tentative Nonconfirmations (TNCs) and manage pending cases.
• Access account management tools and customer support.
• Use myE-Verify and Self Check systems for employee inquiries.

The return of these services allows organizations to return to normal verification timelines while maintaining compliance continuity.

What HR Still Needs to Know

Even while E-Verify was unavailable, Form I-9 requirements never paused. Employers are still expected to have completed Section 1 and Section 2 of the I-9 within three business days of hire.

Now that the system is back online:

• Submit all delayed E-Verify cases immediately. When prompted, select or note “Federal Government Shutdown” as the reason for the delay.
• Do not count shutdown days toward the normal three-day case creation rule.
• Do not take adverse action against employees whose cases were delayed or unresolved due to the outage.

These steps demonstrate good-faith compliance and will protect employers in the event of a future audit.

HR Action Plan: Catching Up on Compliance

1. Clear the backlog
   Submit all pending E-Verify cases created during the shutdown. Prioritize new hires first, then any delayed TNC resolutions.
2. Document all delays
   Record hire dates, I-9 completion dates, and the reason for each delayed E-Verify submission. Maintain these records for audit defense.
3. Reengage affected employees
   If an employee had an open Tentative Nonconfirmation before the shutdown, guide them through next steps now that the system is active again.
4. Communicate with internal stakeholders
   Update recruiters, HR business partners, and hiring managers about the restoration and the required catch-up process.
5. Monitor USCIS guidance
   Because E-Verify was reopened while the government remains partially shut down, further instructions or grace periods may follow. Stay alert for official updates.

Why This Matters

This situation underscores how dependent HR operations are on federal systems — and how quickly a government funding lapse can disrupt standard hiring procedures.

Forward-thinking HR teams can use this moment to:

• Review I-9 and E-Verify policies for business continuity planning.
• Build internal tracking logs for verifications.
• Train recruiters and managers on compliance steps when federal systems go offline.

Preparedness and documentation remain the strongest defense in any future audit or system outage.

Conclusion

E-Verify’s restoration is welcome news for HR and compliance teams managing new hires during the government shutdown. Employers should now move quickly to process delayed cases, resolve pending verifications, and ensure every step is well documented.

While E-Verify’s return simplifies immediate compliance, the broader lesson remains clear: HR teams need resilient processes that can adapt when federal systems pause — because compliance never truly stops.