Thread: Another Fight Over E-Verify?

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

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdat ... _Container

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

No it IS NOT. Without penalties, companies will have no fear of hiring Illegal Workers, hence displacing American workers...What do you propose Olmstead? A Stern talking-to? ass

Olmstead is a jerk. He's being paid to say whatever big business here in Idaho tells him to say. I have talked to this idiot a couple of times before. He doesn't have a clue about this issue, he just runs his mouth.

ID-BILL TAKES DIRECT AIM AT ILLEGALS, EMPLOYERS

Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA)
February 2, 2010
By Betsy Z. Russell
betsyr@spokesman.com, (866) 336-2854
BOISE, ID

Jorgenson says crackdown necessary with tight budget.

A state senator representing Hayden Lake on Friday introduced sweeping legislation aimed at punishing Idaho employers who knowingly employ undocumented immigrants.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, also would ban anyone without proven legal status from receiving any state or local benefit; outlaw administering the written portion of the Idaho driver's license test in any language other than English; declare issuing driver's licenses to illegal residents "repugnant" and deny recognition of out-of-state driver's licenses to those without legal immigration status; and cut off any state funding to cities that become "sanctuaries" for illegal aliens.

Jorgenson said illegal immigrants cost Idaho millions of dollars, and with the state's tight budget, cracking down is in order.

"I believe we owe that to the taxpayers," he said. "I think this is just about one of the best ways we can do that."

Jorgenson, a third-term state senator, has proposed versions of such legislation repeatedly without success, but said this year he worked with University of Missouri-Kansas City law professor Kris Kobach to draft Idaho-specific legislation. Jorgenson said when his bill gets a full hearing, Kobach will come to Idaho to testify at Jorgenson's personal expense.

Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee, said his plan is to hold a hearing, likely in mid-February, on three immigration bills: Jorgenson's; another introduced by Sen. John McGee, R-Caldwell, to make it a misdemeanor for an employer to knowingly hire someone based on false immigration documents; and a third in the works from Reps. Raul Labrador, R-Eagle, and Phil Hart, R-Athol.

Hart said his and Labrador's bill has just been drafted; at about half the length of Jorgenson's, it also seeks to penalize employers for hiring undocumented workers.

Under Jorgenson's measure, employers who knowingly employ undocumented aliens could face fines, jail time and license suspensions. "The key language is 'knowingly hire,' " Jorgenson said.

The Senate State Affairs Committee agreed unanimously to introduce Jorgenson's bill, although panel members had lots of questions for Jorgenson.

Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, looking through the 16-page bill, asked Jorgenson, "If this type of conduct is already unlawful under (federal law) is it necessary for Idaho to even have this statute?"

Jorgenson responded that if the federal government isn't adequately enforcing immigration laws, a state has "every right to use whatever means it has available to protect itself."

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 28&start=1

I can see a fight coming over this, but bring it on. If we don't get this bill passed this year, there will be a house cleaning this November.

It only makes sense if you want to follow the law, and to avoid the hiring of illegal aliens, possible foreign fugitives, criminals. Plus, shouldn't you try to find out who it is that stands in front of you for a job? We know that they steal and fake identities, but the screening must begin.

Psalm 91

Originally Posted by Tbow009

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

No it IS NOT. Without penalties, companies will have no fear of hiring Illegal Workers, hence displacing American workers...What do you propose Olmstead? A Stern talking-to? ass

I agree. In fact I think the bill should go even farther. Employers caught with illegals should pay the fine, lose their business license AND all of their ill-gotten personal assets should be seized.

Originally Posted by redpony353

Originally Posted by Tbow009

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

No it IS NOT. Without penalties, companies will have no fear of hiring Illegal Workers, hence displacing American workers...What do you propose Olmstead? A Stern talking-to? ass

I agree. In fact I think the bill should go even farther. Employers caught with illegals should pay the fine, lose their business license AND all of their ill-gotten personal assets should be seized.

This is common practice in the war on drugs. Confiscate all property, real or otherwise, and liquidate to help fund the war on drugs. Only with these assets, we will fight the war on illegal immigration.

Great idea!