Thread: Leaders Call for National Mandatory Employ Verify System

http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/400503.html

Posted on Thu, Feb. 28, 2008
Business Leaders Call for Nation's First Mandatory Employment Verification System
By Society for Human Resource Management


ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 28 --The world's largest association devoted to human resource management today led a coalition of business leaders and HR professionals in endorsing legislation that would create the nation's first mandatory employment verification system for all U.S. employers.

Known as "The New Employee Verification Act," the legislation is intended to prevent unauthorized work in the United States by requiring verification of all new hires through the use of an electronic, reliable and more secure system than currently exists.

"The government hasn't given employers the right tools to ensure a legal workforce," said Susan R. Meisinger, President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). "This bill is a major step toward doing something meaningful to stop illegal immigration."

"The New Employee Verification Act," introduced today by Representative Sam Johnson (R-Texas), is supported by the SHRM-led "Human Resource Initiative for a Legal Workforce" coalition, which includes: National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); National Association of Home Builders (NAHB); American Council on International Personnel; College and University Professional Association for Human Resources; Food Marketing Institute; HR Policy Association; International Public Management Association for Human Resources; and National Franchisee Association.

"We strongly believe that employers need to be part of the solution to illegal immigration," said Meisinger. "But HR professionals and employers shouldn't have to be America's surrogate border patrol agents. This bill takes the burden off their shoulders by creating a modern, easy-to-use verification system that truly works."

"The New Employee Verification Act" would enable employers to confirm quickly and accurately the legal status of prospective employees by checking identification data through their state's "new hire" reporting program, a system that is already widely used for child support enforcement.

The new verification system would be superior to the federal government's existing program, known as E-Verify, because it would rely on a more accurate, up-to-date database, and it would be entirely electronic, thereby eliminating susceptibility to fraud and identity theft.

The bill also strengthens enforcement through enhanced penalties on employers and by referring mismatches found in Social Security numbers to the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.

The legislation also would create a voluntary biometrics option that employers could choose to use in the verification process. This system would include a standard background check and the collection of a "biometric" characteristic -- such as a thumbprint -- to secure an employee's identity and prevent the illegal use of a Social Security number, stolen or fraudulently-obtained drivers' license, or altered identification documents.

To ensure privacy and system accuracy, the legislation requires direct consultation with a panel of public/private sector experts in designing the system, and also by requiring annual reporting on system performance by participating Federal agencies and the Government Accountability Office.

"It's easy to talk tough about illegal immigration; it's more important to do something that will make a real difference," said Meisinger. "This legislation is what's needed, and employers and employees alike will be grateful for it."

For more information on SHRM's position, visit: http://www.shrm.org/government. For interviews to discuss SHRM's workplace and legislative priorities, please contact Media Affairs at (703) 535-6273 or (703) 535-6072.

About the Society for Human Resource Management

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 235,000 members in over 130 countries, and more than 575 affiliated chapters. Visit www.shrm.org.

About the Human Resource Initiative for a Legal Workforce

The Human Resource Initiative for a Legal Workforce (www.legal-workforce.org) represents human resource professionals in thousands of small and large U.S. employers representing every sector of the American economy. The HR Initiative and its members are seeking to improve the current process of employment verification by creating a secure, efficient and reliable system that will ensure a legal workforce and help prevent unauthorized employment, a root cause of illegal immigration.

SOURCE Society for Human Resource Management

the legislation is intended to prevent unauthorized work in the United States by requiring verification of all new hires through the use of an electronic, reliable and more secure system than currently exists.

"NEW" hires only....how about "ALL" hires??????????????