Legislative: House Reauthorizes Basic Pilot (E-Verify) Program
The House on July 31 voted to reauthorize the Department of Homeland Security’s Basic Pilot program, also known as “E-Verify.” The voluntary online program provides employers who join with an ability to verify the work authorization of their new employees through a government database of eligible workers. Under the language contained in the bill—H.R. 6633, the Employee Verification Amendment Act —the Social Security Administration will be reimbursed for the work it does to maintain and update the databases that are used in this program.
Given the number of states that have mandated that employers use Basic Pilot/E-Verify, several lawmakers expressed concern that the Social Security Administration and its field offices could become inundated with workers trying to fix problems that might lead to the government denying them employment eligibility in the U.S. The funding provision is aimed at ensuring that SSA does not face a sudden backlog of cases that could lead to legal U.S. workers being denied employment. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct studies on the error rates in the government databases, and the direct and indirect costs to small businesses who attempt to use the program.
At this time, it is unclear how or when the Senate will take up this legislation, although several key senators have indicated an interest in moving quickly to reauthorize the program. To view the legislation, click here and enter the bill number in the box in the upper center screen.
For more information, e-mail Jenna Hamilton or call her at 800-368-5242, x8407.
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