Judge: Carcieri can enforce immigration order

Monday, Sep 15, 2008 - 03:17 PM

PROVIDENCE -- A state judge on Monday permitted Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri to force private employers who do business with the state to electronically check their workers' immigration status.

But Superior Court Judge Mark Pfeiffer ruled that Carcieri cannot end existing contracts until the state takes public comment on the new rules and issues guidelines for enforcing them.

Carcieri's order, signed in March, requires that the companies use a federal database called E-Verify to vet new hires. The state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union had sued to stop Carcieri from applying his order to private firms.

Carcieri's order also forces state police and prison officials to identify illegal immigrants for possible deportation.

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