Feds' screening for illegal workers begins Tuesday

Ianus · 09-04-2009, 04:09 PM

I don't know if anyone here has a job where the business has been given "federal contracts" but it appears this coming Tuesday E-verify will become mandatory for new hires & existing hires according to this article.

Quote:

Anyone who does business with the federal government will soon be required to use a federal system that is intended to weed out employees without authorization to work in the country.

After Labor Day weekend, those federal contractors and subcontractors will have to use E-Verify, which allow employers to check the validity of a new hire's Social Security number and other Form I-9 information, such as a name.

The new mandate goes into affect Sep. 8 a couple of months after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the administration's support for the regulation, awarding federal contractors only to employers who use E-Verify.

The new rule extends to employers who receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, as part of the stimulus package.

Employers who contract with the feds after Sept 8 will have 30 days after the contract to enroll. These employers will have to use E-Verify to confirm existing hires, and all new hires, whether employed on a federal contract or not.

As of March 7, 467 Orange County businesses had signed up voluntarily for the system, according to the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services records.

Orange County made up about 10 percent of the 4,000 or so California businesses that use E-Verify as of March.

Jim Rieff, owner of Rieff Construction in Fountain Valley, said he had to wait eight weeks for one of his employees to clear.

"He's a permanent resident who has been living here for 20-something odd years," Rieff said. "It was frustrating for me and for (him) as well, but finally it took."

However, he said, he believes the system is well worth it and thinks all employers should use E-Verify.

"I'm totally in favor of it,'' Rieff told Register Columnist Dena Bunis.

Critics, however, say the federal databases are outdated and prevent some people who are authorized to work from employment.

Analysts at the Immigration Policy Center in Washington, D.C. say savvy illegal immigrants will find a way to beat the system by acquiring a Social Security number and name that match or other means.

Also, center analysts say E-Verify relies on an error-ridden database that includes 17.8 million discrepancies, of which more than 12 million pertain to native-born U.S. citizens. The Immigration Policy Center is a Washington D.C. pro-immigration think tank.

Anti-illegal immigration activists say it's the best tool for discouraging illegal employment, stating that it should be mandatory for every employer.

Only a few states, such as Arizona and Georgia, have chosen to require businesses to use the program.

DA User · 09-04-2009, 06:37 PM

When does E-Verify take effect for private companies?

Ed · 09-04-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

When does E-Verify take effect for private companies?

It doesn't. Private companies have the option to participate in E-Verify, but by law it is not mandatory.

DA User · 09-05-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed

It doesn't. Private companies have the option to participate in E-Verify, but by law it is not mandatory.

Is there a list where private companies are practicing this?

dado123 · 09-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

Is there a list where private companies are practicing this?

I'll be interested in finding such list as well.

Ali · 09-07-2009, 10:37 PM

kinda reminds me of that firm that lost a contract because the workers building the border fence were "illegals"......

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Feds' screening for illegal workers begins Tuesday