The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires that all employers in the U.S. complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for all employees hired, regardless of their citizenship status. Form I-9 is used to verify the identity and the employment eligibility of the employee. The Form I-9 verification process has historically involved the participation of both the employee and the employer, including the completion of specifically designated sections of the Form I-9 by the employee and employer, the in-person physical inspection of the required verification documents presented to the employer by the employee, and proper retention of the completed forms and records by the employer for the mandated period of time. Failure to do so properly can result in significant fines and penalties for the employer.