Rep. Calvert Joins Colleagues to Introduce the Legal Workforce Act

Today, Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-42), along with Rep. Lamar Smith (TX-21), Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (VA-6), Subcommittee on Immigration Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy (SC-4), and others, introduced the Legal Workforce Act, H.R. 1147, which will make employment verification mandatory nationwide.

"One of the biggest reasons so many of my constituents remain concerned about illegal immigration is the fact that individuals who are not authorized to work in our country continue to find jobs," said Rep. Calvert. "E-Verify is an incredibly useful tool that must be part of our solutions to our immigration challenges. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to expand the use of E-Verify and ensuring only authorized workers are employed in our country."

E-Verify, created by Rep. Calvert in 1996 through legislation, is the only tool available to employers to check the legal status of newly hired employees. It is web-based, 99.5% accurate and free to employers.

Below is a summary of some of the major components in the Legal Workforce Act:

• Gradual Phase-In: Phases-in mandatory E-Verify participation for new hires in six month increments beginning on the date of enactment. Within six months of enactment, businesses having more than 10,000 employees are required to use E-Verify. Within 12 months after enactment, businesses having 500 to 9,999 employees are required to use E-Verify. Within 18 months after enactment, businesses having 20 to 499 employees must use E-Verify. And within 24 months after enactment, businesses having 1 to 19 employees must use E-Verify.

• Penalties: Increases the civil and criminal penalties for employers who violate the laws prohibiting illegal hiring and employment.

• Social Security Number: "Self Lock": Allows individuals to "lock" their own Social Security Number so that it cannot be used to verify work eligibility, in order to combat identity theft.

• Federal Preemption: Preempts state laws mandating E-Verify use for employment eligibility purposes but allows states and localities to enforce mandatory employment verification.

• Safe Harbor: Grants employers safe harbor from prosecution if they use the E-Verify program in good faith, and through no fault of theirs, receive an incorrect eligibility confirmation.

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