HR Initiative Endorses House Bill on E-Verify Extension

Washington, D.C. – The Human Resource Initiative for a Legal Workforce coalition applauded passage of the bipartisan E-Verify compromise bill introduced by Representatives Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and Sam Johnson (R-TX), calling the effort a responsible step that will allow policymakers to find a real solution to the problems inherent in the current federal employment verification system.
 
“E-Verify is not a long-term solution.  We support this temporary extension to allow the time required to craft a verification system that works fairly and effectively for employers and employees alike,” said Mike Aitken, Director of Government Affairs, Society for Human Resource Management.  “We applaud Representatives Giffords and Johnson and others who have included provisions in this legislation that help improve E-Verify, while steps are being taken to establish a reliable, accurate and permanent system.”
 
The legislation would authorize an extension of the current E-Verify program for five years and includes adequate advance funding to the Social Security Administration (SSA) so that the agency can meet its responsibilities under the verification program.  E-Verify utilizes the Social Security database, which, according to the SSA’s own Office of the Inspector General, has an error rate of more than 4 percent. The E-Verify program was due to expire in November.

The bill would also require the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the problems currently plaguing the E-Verify program and to propose remedies.

The HR Initiative coalition will continue to advocate for an effective employment verification system, as embodied in the New Employee Verification Act (NEVA / H.R. 5515) – including an eventual transition to a fully electronic system that uses biometric measures to prevent identity theft and the use of fraudulent documents.  Representatives Giffords and Johnson are lead sponsors of the NEVA legislation.
 
“Employment verification is a national priority, and it is imperative that Congress use this temporary extension to develop a permanent, mandatory program that truly works,” said Aitken.  “We look forward to continuing our work with Congress to replace E-Verify with a system that has the support and confidence of employers and employees.”

Visit www.legal-workforce.org http://www.legalworkforce.org to learn more about the HR Initiative and H.R. 5515. 

The Human Resource Initiative for a Legal Workforce (www.legal-workforce.org http://www.legalworkforce.org) represents human resource professionals in thousands of small and large U.S. employers representing every sector of the American economy.  The HR Initiative and its members are seeking to improve the current process of employment verification by creating a secure, efficient and reliable system that will ensure a legal workforce and help prevent unauthorized employment, a root cause of illegal immigration.

The coalition includes the following organizations:

•    American Council on International Personnel
•    College and University Professional Association for Human Resources
•    Food Marketing Institute
•    HR Policy Association
•    International Public Management Association for Human Resources
•    National Association of Manufacturers
•    National Franchisee Association
•    Society for Human Resource Management