Thread: Contractors oppose rule on employee citizenship verification

Contractors oppose rule on employee citizenship verification
By GREGG CARLSTROM
August 18, 2008

Contractors are opposing a government plan that would require them to verify the immigration status of their employees.

They say the proposed plan, which could take effect in the next few months, would be a huge drain on their human resources staff. And they argue that there’s little evidence contractors are employing illegal immigrants.

The proposal would affect companies that win new federal contracts — they would be required to verify the immigration status of all employees working on a contract within 30 days of receiving it, including those working abroad. Contractors would also have to verify all new hires — whether or not they perform government work — for the duration of the contract.

The Homeland Security Department proposed the rule in June, in response to an executive order from President Bush directing agencies to verify that their contract employees are legally employed. Companies would be required to use E-Verify, the electronic verification system managed by Citizenship and Immigration Services.

More than 100 public comments on the proposed rule were sent to Homeland Security, mostly from contractors calling on the department to scuttle the plan. Criticism came from Lockheed Martin, Dynamics Research Corporation, IntelliDyne, the Professional Services Council, the Society for Human Resource Management, and a number of religious groups that advocate for immigrants’ rights.

Contracting groups have two main concerns about E-Verify. They claim it is not capable of handling so much activity, and that it generates a high number of incorrect results.

“E-Verify is just not ready,â€

And they argue that there’s little evidence contractors are employing illegal immigrants.

Please don't insult our intelligence.

Please don't insult our intelligence.

LOL.....dugh, deaf, blind and dumb......how do we make it through the day?

And many contractors, particularly in security-related fields, already perform extensive background checks on their employees, Bord said. That means the use of E-Verify could often be redundant.

OK.....maybe this is my American stupidity shining through, but how can you do a background check without having various information....including a valid SS# to tell the difference between those of the same name? Ya, there's address and birthdate etc, but without all the necessary documentation including a valid SS#....how do you know? If there's no trace of you in any system then that means you're good to go?

More than 100 public comments on the proposed rule were sent to Homeland Security, mostly from contractors calling on the department to scuttle the plan. Criticism came from Lockheed Martin, Dynamics Research Corporation, IntelliDyne, the Professional Services Council, the Society for Human Resource Management, and a number of religious groups that advocate for immigrants’ rights.

I like to look at those groups who oppose such legislation, as it can be quite telling. Why would LEGAL IMMIGRANTS to this country need a special group that "advocates" on behalf of their "rights?" Their rights are already legally protected!

Enough with the excuses! Make E-Verify mandatory if you want to hire employees and do business in this country!

I have a hunch - but don't know this entirely as a fact - that the fuzziness probably lies in the fact that these contractors use, or have used (or plan on using)... imported skilled workers (read temp/guest workers), and that they probably have constructive knowledge that many of them have either not followed up on the required paperwork to maintain visa status (and/or citizenship petition, as applicable) OR have simply overstayed a work visa and just hope the system will 'ignore' the fact.

Recall that, approx 40%-45% of the illegal immigration problem has it's roots in people that initially enter legally, but then abuse or overstay a legal visa.
When the scale of the problem manifests itself in terms of millions of persons, you know it is widespread and not enforced well if at all.

IIRC, E-Verify WILL flag those situations where a foreign national is here on a work visa but is no longer within status to work... (as resident alien# is used to verify for non-US citizens/permanent residents).

If you want to hire Mexicans move to Mexico.