Thread: Ne - Lawmakers May Require Electronic Immigration Checks

Lawmakers May Require Electronic Immigration Checks
E-Verify System Already Widely Used By Nebraska Businesses
POSTED: 7:18 pm CST February 18, 2009
UPDATED: 7:34 pm CST February 18, 2009


LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers have debated a bill that would require all Nebraska businesses to use an electronic system to verify that the employees they hire are in the United States legally.

The free E-Verify system is already widely used by many employers in the state, but the bill would make it mandatory.

Manpower Inc. in Lincoln has used E-Verify since last summer. Within seconds, managers can learn the immigration status of a job applicant.

"It gives me peace of mind because the government tells me this is the best way to go about it," said Manpower Inc.'s Steve Wanser.

Supporters said the bill will help reduce the impact of illegal immigrants on local services and protect legal immigrants and Nebraska citizens.

"By using E-Verify, we can make sure it's Nebraska citizens getting those jobs," said Nebraska Advisory Group member Susan Smith.

"An E-Verify passage in Arizona immediately witnessed a mass exodus from the state of illegal aliens," said Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom.

But opponents said the measure would simply perpetuate discrimination.

"Those of us who have experienced the state-sanctioned discrimination are weary of laws and lawmakers purporting to protect further discrimination by supporting laws that are proven to promote it," said opponent Sam Franco.

"I think a wave of fear is sweeping our nation," said Rev. Chuck Bentien. "This is incredulous."

Opponents also said that E-Verify isn't perfect and can't confirm that an applicant is the person that he or she claims to be. But Wanser said sometimes that just a sign in the lobby can act as a deterrent.

"It's the first thing they look at when they come in, and they turn around and go away, too," he said.

http://www.ketv.com/news/18745884/detail.html

Who's going to make sure they actually use it? Who's going to police the police?