As the stalemate in Congress regarding immigration reform continues, individual states have decided to take matters into their own hands. The most far-reaching provisions affecting employers exist in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and now, Mississippi. For example, Arizona has required all employers to participate in E-Verify (USCIS’ Internet-based employment eligibility verification system) or face potential loss of their business license if in fact they do employ illegal aliens. (For an update on the Legal Arizona Workers Act, see the May 5 Arizona eAuthority.) Other states such as Georgia, Rhode Island and Minnesota have implemented measures whereby government contractors are effectively required to participate in E-Verify. The Mississippi Employment Protection Act was recently passed and included among its provisions phased-in mandatory E-Verify participation for all Mississippi employers. (For more information, see the April 4 Mississippi eAuthority.)
Note: This article was published in the May 2008 issue of the Immigration eAuthority.
