Another fight over E-Verify?

At the heart of state Sen. Mike Jorgenson's bill is requiring employers to use E-Verify, the currently voluntary federal system that lets businesses check on a worker's status. Nationwide, more than 182,000 employers are enrolled in the Internet-based system run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"E-Verify should be made mandatory and universal," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation of American Immigration Reform.

Under the bill, those found guilty of knowingly hiring illegal workers would face fines of up to $50,000 and the loss of their business licenses.

The Idaho Business Coalition for Immigration Reform, which represents dairy and construction industries, says states should leave immigration enforcement to the federal government. Lobbyist Brent Olmstead says he'll fight any measure that threatens to take away employers' licenses.

"That's just an extreme form of punishment," Olmstead said.

Jorgenson says dairies and builders are trying to protect access to a cheap, available source of illegal labor by blocking mandatory E-Verify queries. He also says he's been hampered by pro-business interests on the Senate State Affairs Committee, led by Sen. Curt McKenzie, the Nampa Republican who in 2009 tabled a similar measure.

Two more bills set for consideration in the Idaho Legislature also aim to ensure workers are employed legally, but Jorgenson says they lack teeth. "Anything without E-Verify is skim milk," he said.

The Associated Press

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