Employers say E-Verify easy to use

BEN PIPER
American Staff Writer
bpiper@hattiesburgamerican.com
August 24, 2009

Kelly Thames, human resources manager for Dunn Roadbuilders in Laurel, is an advocate of the E-Verify program.

"Really it only takes maybe two extra minutes to do it," said Thames of the Internet-based federal program that confirms employees have provided accurate Social Security information to employers.

"The only problem I see is that the government has this backwards - this should be done before you hire someone."

Implemented and enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Immigration Services with the help of Social Security Administration, there are more than 141,000 employers enrolled in the program. As of Aug. 8, more than 7 million queries have been run through the system this fiscal year, according to the DHS Web site.

As of July 1, Mississippi state law requires contractors with more than 100 employees to verify new hires through the program.

Dunn Roadbuilders which works on many state-funded road projects has185 employees. And Thames said there has only been one occasion where an employee's information came back as incorrect - and the employee quit that same day.

"Normally, within five to 10 seconds you've got a response back and you print out the form and that's it, you attach it to their application," said Thames who has worked for the company for more than 30 years.

On July 1, 2010, businesses with more than 30 employees also must use the system if they plan to work on state-funded projects.

Penalties can be harsh for noncompliance. Violators can be fined $1,000 to $10,000 and be jailed for one to five years. Contractors also will lose all government contracts for up to three years and possibly lose business permits and licenses.

On Sept. 8, a new federal rule will extend use of the E-Verify program to cover federal contractors and subcontractors, including those who receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Temple Black.

"In addition to expanding participation, DHS continues to enhance E-Verify in order to guard against errors, enforce compliance, promote proper usage and enhance security," Black said.

Since the sweep at Howard Industries last August, Black said worksite enforcement investigations will continue to be a priority.

"It's important to eliminate the magnet of illegal employment by targeting employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens in order to obtain an unfair advantage over their competitors," he said. "However, ICE also works in partnership with the vast majority of employers who want to follow the law."

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