Michigan does not mandate E-Verify for private employers. Wayne County and Detroit have not adopted E-Verify ordinances. Federal contractors meeting FAR thresholds must use the system; state government employers including Wayne County itself enroll voluntarily for hiring vetting.
Unlike Arizona, Mississippi, or Florida, Michigan has no statewide E-Verify mandate for private employers. Wayne County and its constituent cities have not enacted local E-Verify requirements. Federal contractors holding contracts above $150,000 with terms exceeding 120 days must use E-Verify under FAR 22.18. Wayne County government and several cities voluntarily enroll for new hires. I-9 employment eligibility verification remains mandatory for all employers under federal law (8 USC §1324a). Detroit's Welcoming City policy explicitly discourages voluntary E-Verify use beyond what federal law requires. Knowingly hiring unauthorized workers risks federal civil and criminal penalties.
Failure to complete I-9 forms triggers federal civil fines from $281 to $2,789 per worker. Pattern violations expose employers to criminal charges with up to six months imprisonment.
See how Dearborn's e-verify mandates rules stack up against other locations.
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