Verifying immigration status with the I-766 work card

U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210
Classification: UI
Correspondence symbol: TEUDPR
Issue date: April 24, 1997
Rescissions: None
Expiration date: April 30, 1998

DIRECTIVE: UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 27-97

TO: ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES

FROM: GRACE A. KILBANE
Director
Unemployment Insurance Service

SUBJECT: Alien Status Verification

1. Purpose. To inform State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) of a new work authorization card being issued to aliens by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

This card may be presented during the claims taking process and be used to verify claimants' immigration status.

2. References. Public Law 99-603; Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (INS Manual M-300); UIPLs 35-95 and 5-97, both titled: The Department of Labor's Position on Issues and Concerns Associated with the Utilization of Telephone and Other Electronic Methods in the Unemployment Insurance Program.

3. Background. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), Public Law 99-603, requires that aliens applying for certain entitlement programs, including unemployment insurance, have their immigration status verified by the INS. If a claimant is not a United States citizen or national, he/she must provide the SESA with documentation from the INS that contains his/her Alien Registration Number (commonly called the A-number) or other documents that provide reasonable evidence of current immigration status. This documentation must be verified by the INS through the system known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement.

4. New Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Included among the INS documents that claimants may present are the EADs. A new EAD card, the I-766, is being phased in by the INS. The INS will issue it to aliens who are authorized to work temporarily in the United States. The I-766 has enhanced security features, as described in the attached brochure, that make it more difficult to counterfeit. Some aliens will continue to receive their work authorization on the existing I-688B.

5. Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to all appropriate staff and ensure that the new EAD is treated the same as the I-688B for verification.

6. Inquiries. Direct any questions to the appropriate Regional Office.

Attachment. INS publication Form M-440.

NOTE: Attachment not available to DMS.