Council Votes No to E-Verify Program
Laine Baker
Aug 12, 2008

After two hours of debate, the city council voted no to a computer program that identifies illegal aliens applying for jobs.

Seventeen people signed up to voice their opinions on the E-verify program that matches social security numbers to names within minutes.

This can show if someone is trying to use a social security number that is not theirs to obtain employment.

Opponents say the free program is not needed and gives the government more information on business owners.

Supporters want to weed out as many illegal immigrants from the work force as possible.

"We have a problem keeping track of data as it is," said Immigration Attorney Michael Sharma-Crawford. "And you want to add here in the city of Topeka another layer of that to keep track of and to monitor. My issue is not to say that we shouldn't be protecting our interests but if you are already doing it, why do you want to add something else to it?"

"I guarantee if you polled Topeka citizens and said 'do you think we should be really careful that we don't spend any tax payer dollars paying for the wages to illegal aliens?' I'm sure that 99.9% of Topeka citizens would say 'yeah, let's not spend my tax dollars that way,"' said UMKC Law Professor Kris Kobach.

E-verify is jointly operated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. The groups say more than 69,000 employers are enrolled in the voluntary program.
Story Created: Aug 12, 2008 at 10:48 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 12, 2008 at 10:48 PM CDT

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