OK: HR rep urges support for better labor verification
by Janice Francis-Smith
The Journal Record April 22, 2008
http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=88244

[size=150]OKLAHOMA CITY – A spokesman for a national human resource management organization on Monday urged Oklahoma small business owners to lobby their congressional delegation in support of a controversial immigration reform bill. The measure would require employees and applicants to prove their identity to employers by providing biometric information, and would strengthen penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants, among other provisions.

Bob Carragher, manager of government relations for the Society for Human Resource Management, based in Alexandria, Va., was one of the speakers who addressed Oklahoma small business owners at the annual Small Business Day At The Capitol event, hosted by Lt. Gov. Jari Askins.

Human resource professionals nationwide are keeping a close eye on state and federal legislation designed to discourage hiring illegal immigrants. In 2006, state legislatures considered approximately 500 bills relating to illegal immigration, compared to 1,500 such bills in 2007. This year, every state in the union is considering legislation to address illegal immigration, he said.

Oklahoma’s law requires employers to check applicants’ information using the E-Verify system, available online. But the E-Verify system is far from perfect, said Carragher. In 2006, when government officials raided six Swift & Co. meatpacking plants and discovered hundreds of illegal immigrants working for the company. Carragher said all those employees’ information had been checked through E-Verify.

“One thing about E-Verify is there is no way to confirm that that person giving you documents is who they say they are,â€