Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced (pdf link) the development and testing of a new E-Verify mobile application. According to DHS, since 2012 E-Verify was considered “mobile-optimized,” meaning that it could be accessed on a mobile device through a mobile browser. However, this mobile version saw limited use because it didn’t adjust well for devices with smaller screen size, which forced the user to do a lot of scrolling to make it work effectively. To improve the mobile experience and to respond to a congressional directive to develop a mobile application, the USCIS has designed a native mobile app for Apple (iOS) devices and is in a usability testing phase with a selected small group of enrolled employers.

The promise of a future native mobile iOS app is good news as employers continue to increase the use of mobile technology to support HR business processes including the hiring and onboarding of new employees. When combined with traditional infrastructure and platforms, mobile technologies are improving communication and collaboration between field and corporate workers, and helping organizations improve efficiencies. However, there are key details missing from the DHS announcement that lead to several important open questions that E-Verify has yet to address.

Here are some of our observations about the announcement:

1. We like the approach the government is taking to this product launch because in general it reflects the way software companies operate. By launching a beta program and testing the app before making it available to the broad marketplace, many of the bugs will be worked out in advance, which should result in an improved the user experience.
2. At this point the pilot only supports Apple devices. Those using Android devices cannot partake in the pilot and may have to wait to take advantage of this functionality after the general release. The DHS announcement did not provide a timeline for when they expect to support Android devices.
3. By choosing to develop a native application, there are some potential limitations and challenges in a corporate environment. For example, how will the app be distributed to shared corporate devices, particularly if your organization restricts which users can download new applications? How will application updates be managed to ensure your user population has the most current version? These are all questions that need to be addressed, among others, if you choose to deploy the app.
4. The Privacy Impact Assessment suggests that future funding for app maintenance and enhancements has yet to be allocated, making the level of commitment to the project unclear.
5. The initial release of the app will not support the required E-Verify tutorial and quiz. Therefore, new users will be required to complete their initial training on a desktop computer through the E-Verify website before they can access the mobile app. Likewise, we expect USCIS to continue to add new E-Verify features or update the rules for how to process E-Verify cases, which over time will require new training modules or changes to the existing training materials. When this happens, users who have already completed their initial training will have to complete a new abbreviated training and pass an incremental quiz covering the E-Verify changes. If the pace of E-Verify changes remains the same as it has been over the past couple of years, existing mobile users will need to take a new quiz on the E-Verify website using a desktop about once per year.

A native mobile app for E-Verify is certainly a positive step for the government to take to help organizations, especially smaller ones, gain efficiency and flexibility that mobile devices can offer. However, the benefits of a mobile E-Verify app just scratch the surface when compared to a more automated approach from a reputable software company like Tracker.

Tracker’s I-9 Complete is a full-featured solution that integrates I-9 and E-Verify management into a single process, eliminating manual data entry and redundancy. We lead the way with mobile functionality, offering the most flexible deployment options to meet your unique needs. Our products are available on whatever platforms you choose, desktops, laptops, smartphones, or tablets – Microsoft, Apple or Android. Collaborating with hiring managers to deliver a world-class mobile hiring experience has never been easier.

Request a demo of Tracker’s I-9 and E-Verify solution to get an in-depth view of our mobile capabilities and other market-leading features.