[1] E-Verify (formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.

According to a Fact Sheet issued by the DHS, registered employers will now be able to compare the photographs on documents presented by employees with identical photographs in the DHS database.  At this time E-Verify is free and employer participation is voluntary