Since 1986, employers and employees have been required to execute an I-9 form which requires the employee to declare his/her legal status and the employer to state it has verified that status using certain documents. Both these attestations are under penalty of perjury.

This I-9 form is completely adequate if it is used and policed.

The E-verify system is a useful supplement, but is subject to some important restrictions. It can only be used “after the fact” meaning after an employee has been hired. It is illegal to use it as a screening tool. Also, if it is used for one employee it must be used for all, which can be a serious drawback for a large company with interstate operations. I learned about these important limitations when taking the E-Verify tutorial which employers are required to take before they can use the system.

I am still working to incorporate a requirement into city contracts which requires an employer to certify that all employees and subcontractor employees who are working on city contracts are legally entitled to work in the US. I have not forgotten this campaign pledge, it just takes time to work through the legal and operational reviews.

SB 90 Employment; verification of eligibility.

01/30/08 Senate: Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (13-Y 2-N)

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YEAS–Marsh, Saslaw, Stolle, Quayle, Norment, Howell, Lucas, Edwards, Reynolds, Puller, McDougle, Deeds, Hurt–13.

NAYS–Cuccinelli, Obenshain–2.

ABSTENTIONS–0.

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Legislative Information System | Bills & Resolutions

Wilmington — Three people arrested a year ago at a Smithfield Foods Inc. processing plant in Bladen County have been sentenced to federal prison for immigration violations, authorities said Tuesday.

Twenty-one suspected illegal immigrants were arrested at the plant in Tar Heel on Jan. 27, 2007, following a lengthy investigation into the use of false identification documents by plant workers. Investigators determined that 18 of the 21 were illegal immigrants who had assumed others’ names and Social Security numbers.

Abimale Sanaozvasquez, Benito Gutierrez-Lopez and Jose Ramirez-Martinez pleaded guilty in November to fraud and misuse of documents. They were each sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years on supervised release.

Senior U.S. District Judge James Fox also ordered each to be deported at the conclusion of their prison term.

I didn’t jump on the band wagon when the bill was introduced. I was chastised some for not doing so. I have seen it many times in IL. The representatives would offer up coal legislation that would allow the mines in So IL to reopen, but it would get killed in committee, just like this one is.

I will get excited about it if and when it hits the floor and debate is ongoing.

DemMom,

Yes, I contacted called and faxed those who will vote on this.

It’s SOOOOO nice that nothing will be discussed on it’s merits. Saslaw has just taken this position because the Dems see political danger as the public continues to be 80%-20% in favor of these immigration reforms. He and the Dems have boxed themselves in politically, especially if the GOP comes out of this session successfully with this issue to run on in 2009. Sad that it’s always about attaining or holding onto power instead of doing the right thing for the citizens of the Commonwealth.

The best thing to do is just let Saslaw have his fun now, and when a germane House vehicle makes it onto the Senate side, pull out Colgan’s exact language in his original bill as a floor substitute to force these guys on an up or down vote. The first thing that will happen is we’ll get a germaness ruling from Bolling, Saslaw will challenge it, then it will go to a roll call vote on whether it’s germane or not. If it survives the challenge, then they can vote on the floor substitute. We’ll have 2 roll call votes and everybody will be on record finally. It will be interesting to see at that point if Colgan does what his Caucus leader tells him to do, or does what his constituents elected him to do.

As for the Presidents performance, He did a stunning job, I don’t think even Reagan would do better.
He Brought up a lot of good points and proposals, Like Allowing Vets to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses and children
A great quote on taxes

“Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders.”

And some strong words regarding earmarks
“The people’s trust in their government is undermined by congressional earmarks — special interest projects that are often snuck in at the last minute, without discussion or debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my veto. And tomorrow, I will issue an executive order that directs federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by the Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote.”

All in All, a great final State of the Union Address

But like all government including PWC they only care about what they want not what the law is.

I agree with you 150%. If this doesn’t pass, we cannot waste anymore local money at this time. No state level support, no federal support….. I want my money back. We are you know what in the wind…

The fact that business is against proving their employees are in this country legally says quite a bit.

I hope this becomes a showdown with citizens rising up to hold the politicians accountable - if they side with business, they need to be ready to explain their actions for years to come.

I am writing in support of SB90. As an employer which currently uses E-Verify as tool to comply with Federal Law. Unfortunately many of my competitor knowing hire employees with counterfeit documentation. Our company is placed at a competitive disadvantage because the law is not being enforced.

E-Verify should not be seen as a burden for honest employers. E-Verify is a tool for honest employers which will protect them from unknowingly hiring illegal immigrants. It will allow them to protect themselves from Federal fines. The only employers who should oppose this bill are those who are knowingly breaking Federal Immigration law.

Please send SB90 to the full Senate for a vote, placing all Virginia Employers on a level playing field.

Thank You for your consideration.

Business strikes again. Who we gonna blame?

OH BROTHER!!!

DemMom - you are an inspiration. Thank you!

We are working class Americans and we need your support. When our jobs aren’t being taken by illegal aliens, our employers use the threat of job loss to illegal aliens, as a way to cut our salaries and kill our benefits.

Who would you rather have build your house, cook your food, or fix your car or your child’s school bus — an American citizen who has had some training and pays into the system — or an illegal alien who steals our resources everyday, and has allegiance only to him or herself?