Grassley Introduces Legislation to Expand Work Eligibility Tool for Employers

Press Release

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today introduced the Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act of 2015 that would permanently authorize and require employers to use the E-Verify program, an Internet-based system that assists employers in determining the eligibility of employees to work in the United States.

"E-Verify has already proven to be a cost-free, successful tool for the companies that volunteer to use it. The program assists businesses that want to comply with immigration laws, safeguards opportunities for legal workers, and helps to reduce incentives for illegal entry into the United States. Enhancing it and making it a staple in every workplace will help in holding businesses accountable. As Congress considers the reauthorization of E-Verify this year, this bill should be a starting point for discussion," Grassley said.

Currently, employers voluntarily submit information reported on an employee's Form I-9 to the Department of Homeland Security through the E-Verify system, which works in partnership with the Social Security Administration to determine worker eligibility. There is no cost for employers to use E-Verify.

E-Verify was established in 1996 as a pilot program with employers in five states allowed to participate. The pilot program was reauthorized in 2001, expanded to employers in every state in 2003 under Grassley-authored legislation, and reauthorized again in 2008, 2009 and 2012. The program is due for reauthorization this year.

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