E-Verify Gets Federal Contracts

The Department of Homeland Security announces additional support for E-Verify.

Although immigration reform is starting to draw the attention of Congress and the Obama administration, any formal U.S. policy changes will most likely not be seen until sometime next year.

However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Administration have been focused on reinforcing current immigration policies and strengthening newer programs such as E-Verify. The verification program, run by the Department of Homeland Security in conjunction with the Social Security Department, allows businesses to check a job applicants legal status by comparing a worker’s I-9 form against a database at the federal government in order to ensure a legal workforce. E-Verify is a web-based program free to businesses that wish to participate.

State Mandates
Although the program is on a volunteer basis, some states have mandated the usage of E-Verify by both public and private employers. Arizona’s mandate for all employers in the state to utilize the program went into effect January 1, 2008. In Mississippi, companies with 100-250 employees must comply with utilizing E-Verify by July 1, 2009, companies with 30-100 employees by July 1, 2010 and the remaining companies by July 1, 2011. For South Carolina, all business in the state must comply by July 1, 2010.

Enhancements to the Program
Janet Napolitano, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, reinforced the use of E-Verify by announcing support for a regulation that mandates the award of federal contracts to E-Verify businesses only. Napolitano states, “E-Verify is a smart, simple and effective tool that reflects our continued commitment to working with employers to maintain a legal workforce. Requiring those who seek federal contracts to use this system will create a more reliable and legal workforce.” The Administration is working to implement this new rule for government contracts and awards by September 8, 2009.

So far, according to DHS, more that 134,000 employers have signed up for E-Verify, which is averaging out to about 1,000 employers per week. Additional enhancements to the program also include a new process which reduces typographical errors, which could result in a false report, and a new system to reduce initial mismatches. DHS has also added access for employers to the naturalization database records and the Department of State’s passport database. There are sure to be additional enhancements to come and possible wider implementation with the upcoming immigration reform bill.

(source: dhs.gov)