Speech #1100192731

Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of the extension of the everify program. which I have supported since it was initially created under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Since that time we have continued our fight to strengthen our immigration laws. Unfortunately when we had the debate in 1996 my colleagues did not approve an amendment to make our Social Security card counterfeitproof. Since that time. I have worked with my colleagues in a bipartisan way to ensure that we improve our employment verification system and Social Security cards so that neither is susceptible to fraud. To achieve this goal I have introduced H.R. 98. the Illegal Immigration Reform and Social Security Protection Act with my colleague from Texas. the distinguished chair of the House Intelligence Committee and former Border Patrol Agent SILVESTRE REYES. This bill would go a long way to address the employment magnet that draws illegal immigrants to the United States. It is important to note that the bill before us commissions further studies on the everify program. We know from a 2005 GAO study on everity that the system is still susceptible to fraud and cannot identify when multiple people are using the same Social Security number. The raids conducted of Swift Meatpacking plants in 2006 showed the ease with which fraudulent Social Security numbers were used to gain unlawful employment. Swift was an everify participant and yet was found to have been employing several hundred illegal immigrants. While I support this measure to extend the program. I hope very much that we can have a more open debate on the need to prevent fraud in our employment verification system.