Temecula is now the third Inland city in the past month to pass an ordinance cracking down on illegal immigrants and the businesses that hire them.

Businesses with one or more employee are now required to screen new hires through the E-Verify system, an otherwise voluntary program operated by the U.S. Department or Homeland Security. The E-Verify system enables employers to verify a worker’s immigration status and Social Security number.


Steven Cuevas


Pro-immigration rights activist outside Temecula City Hall

Temecula’s decision on Tuesday to make its usage mandatory comes after a heated public hearing and dueling street protests. The push for E-Verify in several Temecula Valley cities is being spurred by local conservative activists like Shellie Milne.

“Don’t come to the greatest country in the world and think you’ll get a free ride or buck the system,â€