USCIS announced through the E-Verify user portal that E-Verify will expand its photo matching tool to include US passports beginning September 26, 2010. This change will require E-Verify participating employers to compare the photo from a US passport presented during the I-9 process with the government’s digitally stored photo online, if available. USCIS also indicated that the photo matching process for US passports will follow the same rules as photo matching for the permanent resident card (I-551) or employment authorization document (EAD).
USCIS also reminded employers that when you login for the first time on or after September 26th, you will be prompted to complete a short tutorial and test.
Notably, the photo matching process is not yet mandatory for employers using E-Verify through a web services interface (most commonly associated with an electronic I-9 system). Web service developers have until December 2010 to add photo matching functionality and other changes from the June 2010 E-Verify redesign.