E-Verify is a U.S. government system that helps employers confirm that their new hires are legally authorized to work. After an employee completes Form I-9, the employer can optionally (or sometimes mandatorily) enter the employee’s information into the E-Verify website. The system checks the data against records in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases. Within seconds, E-Verify returns a result: it will either confirm the employee’s eligibility or issue a “tentative non-confirmation” if something doesn’t match (in which case the employee has a chance to resolve the issue). For most employers, E-Verify is voluntary. However, some companies (especially federal contractors) and certain states are required to use it. When using E-Verify, employers must apply it to all new hires consistently and follow strict rules to avoid discrimination. By using E-Verify correctly, businesses can strengthen their hiring process and ensure that all employees have permission to work.