ACLU warns courts against using E-Verify
01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, August 2, 2008

By Tom Mooney
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE — Civil libertarians yesterday warned the state judiciary that it would be condoning a crime if it encouraged the two companies which clean the state’s courthouses to screen current workers through the new federal E-Verify database.

The E-Verify system was established in May to allow companies to screen the validity of Social Security numbers of new employees only. The law specifically prohibits companies from using the system to check the immigration status of current workers.

Asked for reaction to the letter from the local affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, court spokesman Craig Berke said the courts had every expectation the companies would follow the law. “We’re obviously not going to skirt the law.â€