To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: Those responsible for employee onboarding can breathe a sigh of relief after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week announced that they would extend flexibilities that were instituted last year as a result of COVID-19. Specifically, the announcement extends the agency’s previous rules until August 31, 2021. The rule applies to employees if they 1) are hired on or after June 1, 2021 (but the previous rules have been in effect since March 2020); and 2) work exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19. Specifically, employees hired who meet the above two pre-requisites are temporarily exempt from the physical inspection requirements set forth in Section 2 of the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process. This exemption applies until the employee is non-remote or August 31, 2021, whichever is earlier.