Federal contractors take note:  the rule requring mandatory use of the E-Verify system has been suspended until at least February 20, 2009.  

As previously reported in the Stoel Rives World of Employment, President Bush’s executive order would make using E-Verify mandatory starting January 15, 2009 for federal contractors with projects exceeding $100,000 and for sub-contractors with projects exceeding $3,000.  A coalition of employer’s groups sued, seeking an injunction against the rule. 

The parties reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to delay the effective date of the new rule until February 20, 2009 – allowing time for an expedited hearing on the merits of the plaintiffs’ legal case.  The Federal Court has accepted that agreement on January 12, and set up a briefing schedule that should have everything worked out by the new implementation date.  If you like reading legal documents, click to read the court’s order.  And as always, watch the Stoel Rives World of Employment for more updates.