http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking ... sp?ID=8147


Idaho to screen for illegal immigrants


December 13, 2006

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho will begin using a new high-tech method to make sure state employees are eligible to work in the United States.

Gov. Jim Risch signed an executive order Wednesday requiring that all state agencies begin screening potential new employees through a federal database system to verify that they can legally work in the country.

Risch says he hopes local governments and private employers will follow the state’s lead.

While it’s the federal government’s job to secure the country’s borders, states have a role to play in curbing illegal immigration, too, Risch told a news conference.

“There’s a second side to the illegal immigration coin, and that side is the job magnet,” he said. “We must do our part to fight illegal immigration by ensuring we only hire those that are eligible to work in America.”

Idaho is the fifth state to begin using the federal screening program, dubbed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements.

Managed by U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the program runs an employee’s name, Social Security number and birthday through databases in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security.

It’s meant to give employers a means of double-checking the information workers provide on their eligibility forms, said Risch spokesman Jeff Storti. Because the program is new, no data is available on its effectiveness, he said.

While participating in the program is voluntary, Risch said he hopes all businesses in the state start using the program to check new hires.

The program is free for employers, and could also protect them if they’re accused of hiring illegal immigrants, he said.

“I think that most employers want to comply with the law,” Risch said.

Each employee that’s been vetted through the screening process receives a verification number that says they’re eligible for employment.

U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, told reporters that cutting off illegal aliens from jobs was key to solving the country’s immigration problems. Craig has promoted a plan to allow some of the 12 million illegal immigrants in the country to apply for citizenship, if they meet certain requirements.

“Our state needs a guest worker program. Our state needs foreign nationals in our work force. But we want them to be here legally,” Craig said. “The more America becomes less a safe haven for illegals to work, the easier our responsibilities become on the border.”