A group of U.S. Senators, including Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Tom Cotton (R-AR), have introduced the Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2024. The legislation aims to tackle the root cause of illegal immigration by mandating the use of the federal electronic E-Verify system for all employers, ensuring they only hire legal workers.
One of the primary drivers of illegal immigration is the lack of adequate safeguards against unlawful employment in the U.S. job market.
“Employers must make every effort to ensure they are hiring American citizens and legal residents only,” said Dr. Cassidy. “E-Verify is an obvious step we can take toward cutting illegal labor and protecting American jobs.”
According to the reference data, in 2021, approximately 7.8 million illegal immigrants were part of the U.S. labor force.
Furthermore, since then, undocumented migrant encounters reported by the U.S. Border Patrol have surged to over 9.6 million. This employment magnet, which incentivizes illegal immigration, has become a significant concern for lawmakers and the American public.
“President Biden’s last-ditch effort to limit asylum is too little, too late. Millions of illegal immigrants have already flooded into our country under his watch, and his executive order falls short in stopping widespread illegal employment,” said Senator Romney. “By requiring all employers to use E-Verify, our legislation would ensure that businesses only hire legal workers—eliminating a key driver of illegal immigration and protecting jobs for hardworking Americans.”
Read: Trump Slams Biden For Lax Border Policies After Illegal Immigrant Murders Maryland Mom Of 5
The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2024, introduced by Senators Cassidy, Romney, and Cotton, aims to address this issue head-on. The key provisions of the proposed legislation include:
Mandate E-Verify for All Employers
The bill would require all employers to use the federal electronic E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of their workforce. This implementation would be phased in over 18 months to allow small businesses to comply.
Increased Penalties
The legislation would raise civil and criminal penalties for employers who hire unauthorized aliens and/or violate I-9 paperwork requirements. This move is designed to create a stronger deterrent against the employment of illegal workers.
Fraud Prevention
To prevent fraud, the bill would require workers aged 18 and older to provide a photo ID to their employer for verification. This information would be cross-referenced with the E-Verify system, ensuring the integrity of the employment process.
“American workers today compete against millions of illegal immigrants for too few jobs—that’s unfair. Ending the black market for illegal labor will open up jobs for Americans,” said Senator Cotton. “Our legislation will take the necessary steps to make sure every potential employer is hiring only legal workers.”
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