USCIS announced on May 5 a series of improvements to the E-Verify employment authorization program that will reduce mismatch rates and streamline and increase program effectiveness. This announcement relates the first two of three enhancement phases of the program aimed at decreasing mismatch rates for naturalized citizens.

As of May 5, E-Verify will include naturalization data that will instantly help confirm the citizenship status of naturalized U.S. citizens hired by employers that utilize the electronic employment authorization verification program. Currently, naturalized citizens who haven’t yet updated their records with the Social Security Administration face more mismatches than any other group in E-Verify. E-Verify will, however, now include real time arrival data from the Integrated Border Inspection system; this will greatly reduce the number of immigration status-related mismatches for individuals who have legally entered the U.S.

“Less than one percent of all work-authorized employees receive a tentative nonconfirmation through E-Verify,” said Jonathan Scharfen, acting director of USCIS. “While this is a very small percentage, we believe every employee who is authorized to work in the United States should be instantly authorized by the program. We’re confident that the enhancements we’re launching today will help us achieve that goal.”