Privacy Impact Assessment Update for the E-Verify Mobile App Usability Testing - DHS/USCIS/PIA-030(f) January 15, 2016

Sep 20, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) developed an E-Verify mobile application to let enrolled users access E-Verify via a mobile device. USCIS conducts usability testing with a limited set of enrolled employers and collects Personally Identifiable Information (PII) through the App only for that period. No PII is stored on the mobile device. The assessment is updated if E-Verify expands App usage or changes App functionality.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

E-Verify and Mobile Optimization Background

App Usability Testing Phase

App Access and Authentication

Data Transmission and Security

Privacy Impact Assessment Update for the E-Verify Mobile App Usability Testing DHS/USCIS/PIA-030(f) January 15, 2016 Contact Point Donald K. Hawkins Privacy Officer United States Citizenship Immigration Services (202) 272-8030 Reviewing Official Karen L. Neuman Chief Privacy Officer Department of Homeland Security (202) 343-1717 Abstract The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has developed an E-Verify mobile application (“the App”) to support users who wish to access E-Verify using a mobile device. USCIS will initially perform usability testing for the App with users from a select group of enrolled employers. USCIS is conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) because during the usability testing period, USCIS will collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) through the App as part of the existing employment eligibility verification process. No PII will be stored on the mobile device. If E-Verify expands usage of the App or changes its functionality beyond current E-Verify functionality, this PIA will be updated. Introduction E-Verify is a voluntary 1 Internet-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the employment eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. E-Verify employers electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by matching information provided by employees on Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) against existing information contained in the Verification Information System (VIS) .2 E-Verify was mandated by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) .3 Traditionally, an employer’s centralized human resource (HR) representative manually processes Form I-9 in hard copy or on a desktop computer. The information from the completed Form I-9 is then manually entered into E-Verify via a desktop computer or submitted via Web Services.4 As mobile technology has evolved, employers are now incorporating a wider array of devices, including tablets and smart phones, to support remote hiring and mobile HR processing. To better support these employers, USCIS has been working to expand and improve options to use E-Verify across mobile platforms and devices. 1 Although E-Verify remains voluntary, some employers may be required to use E-Verify as a condition of contracting, as the result of a court order, or by operation of federal or state law. 2 VIS is a composite information system that checks the data entered by the employer against data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), the U.S. Department of State (DOS), and certain state Department of Motor Vehicle divisions. For information on VIS and the E-Verify process, see DHS/USCIS/PIA-030 E-Verify Program PIA, available [at](at www.dhs.gov/privacy)[ ](at www.dhs.gov/privacy)[www.dhs.gov/privacy](at www.dhs.gov/privacy). 3 The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), Public Law (P.L.) 104-208, September 30, 1996. E-Verify was originally designated as the “Basic Pilot” program. IIRIRA directs DHS to“maximize [E-Verify’s] reliability and ease of use” by persons and other entities making elections. See IIRIRA Sec. 404(d)(1) . 4 Web Services describes a method of communicating between electronic devices through the internet. In 2012, E-Verify became mobile-optimized. This allowed users to access E-Verify using a mobile device’s web browser. Users could create and manage cases on their mobile device, but E-Verify did not automatically reformat according to the device’s screen size. Users still experienced the layout and function of E-Verify as if on a desktop and were required to repeatedly scroll and adjust the device’s screen view to perform basic functions. As a result, mobile use of E-Verify from 2012 to the present has been limited. In 2014 the U.S. Senate Appropriatio

FAQs

Why is USCIS conducting this Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the E-Verify mobile app usability testing?

USCIS conducts the PIA because usability testing will collect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) through the App as part of the employment eligibility verification process.

Will Personally Identifiable Information (PII) be stored on the mobile device?

No PII will be stored on the mobile device during the testing period.

How does the App transmit information securely to and from the mobile device?

Information sent to or received by the App uses Hyper Text Transfer Protocols with Secure Socket Layers (TLS/SSL) to encrypt and protect data in transit, and an active internet connection is required to use E-Verify via the App.

Sep 20, 2026

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