Speech #1100172437

That number is likely to grow. and they need to be able to know that Congress isnt going to let this program die. Another provision in my bill would require all contractors of the U.S. Government to use Everify. even though they have the authority to do so today. Under the original statute in 1996. the Federal Governmentincluding the Executive and Legislative Branchesmust comply with the terms and conditions of Everify. I added this provision because I dont like the progress I am seeing from the administration to require contractors to use the program. In August of this year. Secretary Chertoff announced a series of reforms to address border security and immigration challenges that our country faces. One of the 26 proposed reforms was to require Federal contractors to use the basic pilot program. Specifically. Secretary Cbertoff said that "the Administration will commence a rulemaking process to require all federal contractors and vendors to use EVerify. the federal electronic employment verification system. to ensure that their employees are authorized to work in the United States." I firmly believe that the Federal Government ought to lead by example. and they shouldnt wait for my bill to become law. My bill would also allow employers to check the status of all employees. not just new hires. Since the system is voluntary. businesses should be able to use Everify to check the work eligibility of all their employees. They would alert the Department of Homeland Security of their desire to check all employees and be required to do the checks not later than 10 days after. If an employer wants to make sure his or her labor force is lawful. or legally allowed to work in the United States. he or she should be afforded that right. Also. the Department of Homeland Security should be able to require repeat offenders of immigration law to check the status of all employees. not just new hires. My legislation would require certain employers to use Everify if the Security has reasonable cause to believe that the employer has engaged in the hiring of undocumented workers. This provision will help us hold employers accountable. My bill would require more information sharing between the agencies at the Department of Homeland Security. Citizenship and Immigration Service. the agency in charge of service and benefits for immigrants. runs the program. However. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has the duty to enforce immigration laws and conduct worksite enforcement. I fear that the two agencies dont communicate enough. especially when it comes to this program. While CIS will provide ICE information about employers who use Everify upon request. this should be an automatic process. The enforcement agency is better equipped to go after those who hire illegal aliens. and they should have access to such information. including those businesses that receive final nonconfirmations through the system. My bill would require CIS to report monthly to ICE. Finally. as a Senator from a State with many rural communities. I have heard small businesses say they want a system that works and is easy to use. Many towns in Iowa and across the country want to be able to use Everify but may not have access to computers or the Internet. The Citizenship and Immigration Service has made strides to help businesses learn the system and accommodate their lack of access. As we continue to ramp up the program and potentially make it a requirement for all employers. I would like to see the Federal Government reach out to rural areas and figure out a way to make this work.