What is E-Verify?

From the USCIS website

E-Verify is an Internet-based system for verifying employment eligibility of new hires in seconds. With one click, E-Verify can match a new hire's Social Security Number and other Form I-9 information. It is available to employers—at no charge—from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration.

E-Verify, previously known as Basic Pilot, reduces unauthorized employment, minimizes verification-related discrimination, is quick and non-burdensome to employers, and protects civil liberties and employee privacy.

Initial verification returns results within 3 to 5 seconds.

Employers ran nearly 2 million employment eligibility verification queries in Fiscal Year 2006.

The top industries using E-Verify include food services and drinking places, administrative and support services, professional and technical services, other information services, and clothing and accessories stores.

E-Verify is currently free to employers and is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. E-Verify electronically compares information entered on the Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9, with records contained in SSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases to help employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Nearly all E-Verify participants, regardless of business size or structure, are registered as an Employer. This access method allows a company to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.