Bill Requiring Use Of E-Verify Advances in Rhode Island

In a bid to clamp down on undocumented employees, the Rhode Island House last week easily approved legislation that would require employers to use a program that verifies the legal citizenship status of all new hires over the Internet.

Comment on this article in The Forum.The legislation would require all companies in the state to use the Federal Basic Employment Verification Pilot Program, also known as E-Verify.

The measure passed the House last year but not the Senate.

"Instituting E-Verify would send a message to people who are in this country illegally that Rhode Island is not the place for them," said Democratic state Rep. Jon Brien.

Under the system, employers enter a new employee's name, date of birth and Social Security number or immigration documentation into a form and submit it online through the Homeland Security Department and the Social Security Administration.

Some opponents say the system has flaws and some legal workers could be inconvenienced as a result.

"This system doesn't always work and there will be people who get hurt by it," Democratic state Rep. Joseph Almeida told The Providence Journal.

The law would require companies with 200 or more employees to apply to participate in the program by July 1, 2009. Those with 50 to 199 employees would have to apply by Jan. 1, 2009, and those with fewer than 50 would have until Jan. 1, 2010.

Several states require use of the E-Verify program. Others working on immigration legislation are considering mandating the program.