(Oct. 10, 2025) – USCIS Suspends E-Verify, but Shutdown Doesn't Pause I-9 Requirements
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced earlier this week that the organization temporarily suspended all E-Verify functions because of the federal government shutdown. Despite this news, Form I-9 requirements remain fully in effect.
Employees still must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 on or before their first day of work, and employers must complete Section 2 within three business days of the employee's start date. This obligation is not suspended during the shutdown.
Employers are temporarily excused from the three-day deadline to create E-Verify cases. Once the system resumes, delayed cases may be submitted without penalty. Employees navigating the tentative non-confirmation process have been granted additional time to resolve their cases.
Until USCIS provides formal directions, employers must assume all rules remain in effect.
CMS Identifies Effects of Federal Government Shutdown on Survey and Certification Activities
Regarding the federal government shutdown, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is doing its utmost to protect Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries from immediate dangers to life and health. It is also working to prevent providers and suppliers from experiencing interruptions that would threaten their ability to provide health care services vital to these beneficiaries.
In the QSO-26-01-ALL memo, CMS identifies functions that are not affected by a federal shutdown, excepted functions that are to be continued during a shutdown (also referred to as "essential functions") and other activities that are directly affected and should not be operational during a federal shutdown.