Most O.C. cities not using worker-legality tool
By CINDY CARCAMO

Most cities in Orange County don't use a free system that allows employers to check the validity of a new hire's Social Security number to determine whether he or she is authorized to work in the United States.

COSTA MESA – At the height of the immigration debate about four years ago, Mayor Allan Mansoor propelled himself and his city into the front lines with his tough stance against illegal immigration.

He garnered national headlines when he aligned himself with the Minuteman Project, targeted day laborers and pushed for a program that trained officers to perform some duties of federal immigration agents.

That's why some question why the city of Costa Mesa – noted for leading the way in the county's fight against illegal immigration – isn't using a 6-year-old federal program called E-Verify, which is intended to weed out employees who are working in the country illegally.

"Some other issues have taken the forefront," Mansoor said, referring to the budget crisis and the fairgrounds sale. "E-Verify and some other types of enforcement measures are certainly on our radar. I am supportive of them."

Costa Mesa, however, isn't alone. Most cities in Orange County don't use the free system, which allows employers to check the validity of a new hire's Social Security number to determine whether he or she is authorized to work in the United States.


http://www.ocregister.com/news/tool-239 ... orker.html