March 2012
UNDERSTANDING
By Hal Netkin -- In 1996, congress authorized the "Basic Pilot" program. Employers who voluntarily signed up for the program could go on-line to verify a worker's legal right to work in the U.S. In 2006 after a successful ten year run, the program's name was changed from the Basic Pilot to E-Verify. Nevertheless, employers' use of E-Verify remains optional. But there is a House bill authored by Representative Lamar Smith pending which would make E-Verify mandatory on a federal level.
Of course those who oppose immigration enforcement like the ACLU come up with bogus excuses as to why NOT to pass Lamar's bull.
Ironically, some immigration enforcement advocates are also opposed to Lamar's bill because it contains a preemption clause that limits states from doing their own immigration enforcement. Based on the fed's history of NOT enforcing immigration law, many believe that E-Verify won't be enforced at all.
On the other hand, leaving immigration enforcement up to the states may not be a good thing. For example, states with the highest concentration of illegal aliens such as California and New York won't enforce immigration laws at all -- preemption or not.
Here's the bottom line: If President Obama gets reelected, all bets on E-Verify are off. But if Mitt Romney is elected and keeps his promise, there is a good chance that E-Verify will be enforced.
V-Dare.com has published Hal Netkin's opinion piece on the subject. You can read about it here.
