This is a translation from La Raza. The good news keeps coming from Illinois! Question: Is this a separate issue from the no-match letters that go out? Also, after reading this do you understand that some employers don't have to use e-verify if they don't 'choose' to?


2007, La Raza Chicago, Inc.
Published 12-13-2007

They agree to postpone implementation of a law that prevents E-Verify in Illinois

Chicago, December 13 (EFE) .- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today an agreement to postpone the law in Illinois that prevents the implementation of the control program for employment eligibility known as E-Verify.

In a communiqué was reported that according to documents filed in court yesterday in the city of Springfield, the state capital, the government of Illinois decided not to implement the law on January 1, 2008 as scheduled.

The suspension will remain in effect pending resolution of the suit brought in September by DHS, or that the state Legislature considers amendments to correct the legal points in dispute.

The lawsuit states that the law is an attempt to regulate indirectly to the federal government to impose state standards to a federal program, and is in conflict with the interest of Congress that the E-Verify available to employers in all fifty states.

State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) yesterday announced the filing of an amendment to state law on Right to Privacy in the Work Place, which would allow companies in Illinois if they choose to enroll in E-Verify.

The amendment would provide that, "advised not enroll, but does not prohibit" to employers in Illinois participate in the E-Verify, Martinez said in a statement.

Martinez said his amendment would ensure that the state "will continue to protect the basic rights of workers in Illinois, while avoiding the costs and delays of protracted litigation."

Meanwhile, the DHS reported to be communicating with the companies involved in the program to inform them that they can do so without fear of reprisal from the state of Illinois since January.

The communiqué said that the motion filed in court the state of Illinois requested within six days so that the state legislature will have the opportunity to consider changes to the law.

"We hope that Illinois amend the law to ensure that employers can continue to use this valuable tool without the need for litigation," he adds.

The communiqué said that the DHS has updated the program E-Verify with tools that allow the employer to verify the name, social security number and now a photograph of the employee, which can be compared with that shown on the driver's license or card state identification of the petitioner.

The verification is done using federal databases, thereby ensuring that the document is not false or stolen, he adds.

DHS said that more than 30,000 employers participating in any U.S. In the program, of which 900 are in Illinois, and that last year were performed 3 million checks.

The Illinois law prohibiting businesses in the state participate in the program until it reaches an accuracy rate of 99 percent, rather than the current less than 50 percent, according to an official announcement by the governor. EFE

http://www.laraza.com/news.php?nid=49678