Can a PPO shred an employee's I-9 form after they have worked for more than three years?

The correct answer is that the I-9 form must be kept for a specified period. Under federal law, employers are required to maintain I-9 forms for a certain duration even after an employee's employment has ended. Specifically, the form must be retained for three years after the date of hire or for one year after the date employment ends, whichever is longer. This regulation is established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which mandates proper documentation of an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.

This retention period ensures that the employer can demonstrate compliance with employment eligibility requirements if audited by the federal government. Consequently, shredding or discarding the I-9 form before this retention period has expired would violate federal law. Thus, the requirement to keep the I-9 form for a specified duration highlights the importance of proper record-keeping in maintaining compliance with immigration regulations.