{"id":15937,"date":"2017-12-14T18:11:25","date_gmt":"2017-12-14T23:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/live-immigrationreform.pantheonsite.io\/?p=15937"},"modified":"2018-12-28T12:26:55","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T17:26:55","slug":"making-federal-case-e-verify","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.immigrationreform.com\/2017\/12\/14\/making-federal-case-e-verify\/","title":{"rendered":"Making a Federal Case for E-Verify"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chalk up more positive results for E-Verify<\/a>, the free online federal database that screens legal employment eligibility.<\/p>\n

A statistical analysis<\/a> of demographic reports, including the U.S. Census American Community Survey, finds that the number of recent illegal immigrants fell by almost 50 percent in states with universal E-Verify laws.<\/p>\n

Specifically, “having an E-Verify law reduces the number of less-educated prime-age immigrants from Mexico and Central America \u2014 immigrants who are likely to be unauthorized \u2014 living in a state,” researchers Pia M. Orrenius and Madeline Zavodny reported.<\/p>\n

Orrenius and Zavodny studied seven states that have adopted E-Verify requirements: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah. The effects were particularly profound in Arizona, where the researchers found an exodus of alien workers following the implementation of mandatory E-Verify in 2008.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the study found little effect in states where E-Verify laws only apply to government agencies and government contractors. \u201cThis is not surprising since relatively few unauthorized immigrants are directly affected by those laws,\u201d the researchers wrote.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>TEXAS: Where E-Verify Goes to Die<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The report is also a cautionary tale for neighboring states that eschew E-Verify. Evidence suggests that E-Verify laws divert newly arriving illegal immigrants to other states, especially those nearby.<\/p>\n

This \u201cspillover effect\u201d is a prime reason to enact universal E-Verify at the federal level. With Seven states demonstrating the effectiveness of the employment-vetting system, it\u2019s time for Congress to follow suit and level the playing field for all.<\/p>\n

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has sensibly included mandatory E-Verify in his newly proposed SECURE Act<\/a>, which he calls \u201cpro-American and pro-worker.\u201d In the House, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, has reintroduced the Legal Workforce Act<\/a>, requiring E-Verify.<\/p>\n

Yes, it would be out of character for Congress to stand up to special interests, the business lobby and the open-borders crowd. But as a new year and the 2018 elections draw near, American workers can hope for the blessed day when Washington politicians actually serve the people who elect them.