E-Verify opponents tilt at windmills

7:54 AM, Jun. 20, 2011

Earlier this month week, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley signed legislation (HB 56) that requires the use of E-Verify by all state employers.

The law also gives Alabama some of the country’s strongest illegal-immigration enforcement tools.

Over the last decade, illegal immigration has increased in Alabama by 325 percent.

In a statement that underlines how over-immigration hurts American workers State Senator Scott Beason, a HB 56 cosponsor, said, "This is a jobs bill. We have a problem with an illegal workforce that displaces Alabama workers. We need to put those people back to work. That's the No.1 priority."

Another supporter, Republican state Rep. John Merrill said he didn’t hesitate to back the legislation because it is “good for Alabamaâ€