Lance Bill Would Mandate E-Verify

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today announced he has introduced legislation that would permanently authorize and require employers use the E-Verify system to ensure their employees are eligible to be working in the United States.  Lance is introducing the U.S. House-version of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (IA)’s Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act.

“E-Verify is a proven system for making sure job opportunities are for American workers.  E-Verify is a deterrent against illegal immigration and expanding it to new workplaces will make sure legal, American workers are not shut out of employment.  We need E-Verify up and running and we need all employers to participate to make it effective,” said Lance last week before the House of Representatives.

E-Verify is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and uses information provided by an employee to confirm legal status through the Social Security Administration.  Participation is currently voluntary for employers, but the Lance-Grassley effort (H.R. 2461) will make employer participation mandatory.  This is no cost for the employer or employee to use E-Verify.

“700,000 American business successfully use the E-Verify system.  Expanding it removes a major incentive for illegal immigration.  I am pleased to join Senator Grassley in this effort and protect American workers,” concluded Lance.

H.R. 2461 does the following:

• Permanently reauthorizes the E-Verify program.
• Makes the program mandatory for all employers.
• Requires federal contractors and agencies to use the program immediately.
• Increases penalties for employers who illegally hire undocumented workers.
• Reduces the liability that employers face if they participate in E-Verify when it involves the wrongful termination of an individual.
• Allows employers to use E-Verify before a person is hired if consent is provided by the employee.
• Requires employers to terminate the employment of those found unauthorized to work due to a check through E-Verify.
• Strengthens Social Security by catching multiple uses of the same Social Security numbers.

According to the Federation For American Immigration Reform, states that enacted or expanded E-Verify saw unemployment rates drop.  States that made E-Verify mandatory for all employers, public and private, experienced the most pronounced decrease in unemployment rates.