(UNITED STATES) E-Verify is offline nationwide after the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services suspending operations around 11:45 a.m. Employers cannot check new hires through the program while the system is down. Yet the law still requires companies to verify work authorization through Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification requirements, which continue without pause during The shutdown. That split—E-Verify unavailable but I-9 compliance still mandatory—has left employers balancing legal duties with limited tools as they onboard staff across the United States 🇺🇸.
USCIS confirmed that the shutdown has halted all E-Verify system services. Employers cannot enroll, create or manage cases, or access case updates. E-Verify customer support is also offline. Employees who received a tentative nonconfirmation (TNC) cannot resolve it at this time, and related services like myE-Verify and Self Check are down as well. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the service freeze affects both large and small employers that rely on near real-time confirmation to reduce compliance risk and speed up hiring decisions.
While E-Verify is offline, the federal rules behind the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification remain in force. Every employer must keep completing I-9s for each new hire, even during a government shutdown. USCIS has also said the agency’s approved alternative remote document review process remains available for qualified employers during the outage. Companies should use their chosen I-9 method—whether in person or the approved alternative—to stay compliant and build a clear record that hiring checks were done on time.
Service suspension and what’s offline
USCIS suspended E-Verify operations on October 1, 2025 at about 11:45 a.m., taking the system offline during the shutdown. The outage blocks routine hiring checks and case management:
- Employers cannot enroll in E-Verify, open new cases, manage open cases, or view updates.
- E-Verify customer support is unavailable.
- Employees cannot resolve TNCs, and myE-Verify and Self Check are not accessible.
- The system will accept no case submissions until it is restored.
The shutdown’s reach goes beyond E-Verify. Other immigration-related functions are also paused, including certain Department of Labor certifications needed for work visa filings. That pause can push back visa timelines, especially for employers planning to file sponsorships that require labor certifications.
At the same time, enforcement activity does not fully stop. Workplace actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are expected to continue even while services are limited elsewhere, meaning employers should not assume a compliance grace period.
How employers can stay compliant now
The core message from immigration authorities is simple: keep doing your I-9s. Even with E-Verify unavailable, employers must complete the form for each new hire and keep records in line with standard rules. The approved alternative remote document review process for I-9s—available to qualified employers—remains an option during the shutdown.
Practical steps for employers during the outage include:
- Complete the Form I-9 for every new hire as usual, on time, and keep copies and notes.
- Use the USCIS-approved alternative remote review process if eligible, or perform in‑person review if that is your standard policy.
- Maintain a clear list of all workers hired during the shutdown who could not be checked in E-Verify.
- Once E-Verify returns, submit cases for those hires as soon as the system is restored.
- Keep internal documentation explaining why E-Verify checks were delayed (for example, a file memo noting the outage and date of hire).
- Avoid taking any negative action against employees because a TNC could not be resolved during the outage, since resolution is not possible until services resume.
These steps help protect against future questions about hiring practices while the E-Verify portal remains offline. They also support a smooth catch-up process when USCIS reactivates the system.
Communication with new hires
Employers should communicate carefully with new hires:
- Explain that E-Verify is temporarily down due to the shutdown, but the I-9 process is still being completed.
- Reassure employees that any follow-up E-Verify steps will occur when the system returns.
- Encourage workers to keep documents ready and to follow employer instructions; do not assume they can resolve TNCs until services resume.
Clear, calm messages can reduce fear among workers who may worry about delays or misunderstand their status while TNC resolution is unavailable.
Operational impacts and planning
VisaVerge.com reports that companies in high-volume hiring cycles—such as seasonal employers, hospitality, logistics, and healthcare—may face the greatest strain. These employers should prepare for a backlog of E-Verify case submissions when the service is back online.
Recommended preparations:
- Track hires and organize I-9 records now to reduce bottlenecks later.
- Assign team roles for the restart and create a reminder system to file E-Verify cases once the portal reopens.
- Legal and HR teams should map which immigration cases depend on paused government functions (like Department of Labor certifications) and adjust timelines accordingly.
- Communicate expected delays to managers and candidates to keep expectations realistic.
Small businesses and nonprofits face an added hurdle: many depend on E-Verify to confirm work authorization when they lack large HR teams or dedicated legal support. A simple workflow—timely I-9 completion, a clear tracking sheet for hires during the outage, and a reminder system to file E-Verify cases once the portal reopens—can help maintain order.
For workers: keep following employer instructions on the I-9 process and be ready to respond promptly when E-Verify returns, especially if a TNC needs to be resolved. Because resolution cannot happen while the system is down, employees should not worry if they cannot take action yet, but should keep documents ready.
References and official resources
Employers wanting official references should review the Form I-9 instructions and maintain copies consistent with company policy. The form and guidance are available on the USCIS website at Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. For broader program information, including general responsibilities and resources, see E-Verify.
Key takeaway: With E-Verify unavailable during the government shutdown, preparedness, careful recordkeeping, and clear communication remain the most reliable tools for staying compliant with Form I-9 requirements until USCIS brings the service back online.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 1, 2025, USCIS suspended E-Verify operations nationwide at approximately 11:45 a.m. due to a federal government shutdown. Employers cannot enroll, open, or manage E-Verify cases; customer support and linked services like myE-Verify and Self Check are offline. Despite the outage, employers remain legally obligated to complete Form I-9 for every new hire and may use USCIS-approved alternative remote document review when eligible. Practical steps include timely I-9 completion, documenting hires during the outage, avoiding adverse actions for unresolved TNCs, and preparing to submit pending E-Verify cases once the portal is restored. Employers should also track immigration-related delays tied to paused Department of Labor functions and communicate clearly with new hires.
