Verification by telephone

(a) Social security database By September 30, 2027, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make such modifications to the Social Security account number data base (NUMIDENT) as are practicable and enable confirmation through the telephone verification system described in subsection (d) that a Social Security account number has been issued to an individual identified by last name, sex, year of birth, and place of birth and that such individual is not known to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be an alien not authorized to work in the United States. At a minimum the data base shall be modified to enable confirmation that a Social Security account number is not assigned to an individual authorized to work in the United States because the number— (1) has not been issued, (2) was issued to an individual known by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as not authorized to work, (3) was issued to a person that is deceased and has not been reissued, or (4) was issued to an alien that any data base of the Immigration and Naturalization Service shows is not authorized to work in the United States. The Attorney General shall provide such assistance as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may require to merge or otherwise make use of any data base of the Immigration and Naturalization Service for the purposes of this section. (b) Exchange of information The Attorney General shall notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services of the expiration of an alien's authorization to work in the United States not later than 14 calendar days after the date of expiration. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall furnish the Attorney General with a list of any aliens for whom confirmation of work eligibility has been requested not later than 5 calendar days after such request. Such list shall include the telephone number from which the request was made and the employer identification number of the requester. (c) Adult applicants The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall furnish to the Attorney General a copy of any application (including supporting documentation) for a Social Security account number by an alien or by an individual over 16 years of age who claims to be a United States citizen or national and shall not issue a number before the earlier of the following dates: (1) The date on which the Attorney General confirms in writing that his records do not show that the applicant is an alien unauthorized to work in the United States. (2) 60 days after a copy of the application and supporting documentation has been delivered to the Attorney General. (d) Telephone verification system Before January 1, 2028, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall test and place in operation a system whereby an employer can report by touch-tone telephone his employer identification number and the Social Security account number, last name, sex, year of birth, and place of birth of any individual who is to be employed and can receive immediate confirmation that the number was issued to the individual having that identity and that such person is not identified within the Social Security account number data base as an individual who is not a United States citizen, a United States national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States. The charge for each call will be sufficient to cover the costs of operating the system, except that it shall not exceed $2 plus any line charges payable to the telephone carrier. The system shall provide for access to a live operator if an entry is not accepted or confirmed, shall provide a verification code to the caller, shall create and maintain a record of each inquiry (including the telephone number of the requester) and its verification code for not less than two years, and shall accommodate devices that read the magnetic strip incorporated by a card issued under section 601. (e) Abuse of system The use of the telephone verification system established by subsection (d) by a person other than— (1) an employer acting pursuant to Section 274A(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or (2) an officer or employee of an agency of the United States or of any State acting in the performance of official duties, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 per occurrence.