County considers job screening for legal status

Proposal would explore using E-Verify during hiring process

By Christopher Cadelago
6:27 p.m., June 21, 2011

San Diego County may join a growing list of government agencies to enroll in a federal database used to check the legal status of prospective workers.

The proposal from Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Bill Horn would direct county officials to explore the feasibility of using E-Verify during the hiring process. Critics contend the database is unreliable, stifles business and could usher in widespread discrimination.

E-Verify is a web-based tool that compares information from an individual’s eligibility form to data kept by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration. Starting with new county hires would allow administrators to gauge the system’s effectiveness before potentially expanding it to include businesses that contract with the county, Jacob said.

“The sad and difficult truth is this: many people enter the U.S. illegally looking for work. I believe a primary way to deter illegal immigration is to turn off the jobs magnet,â€