I recently read an immigration article in the Texas Tribune about E-Verify and U.S. Representative, Lamar Smith’s fight to require it nationwide. E-Verify is an electronic employment verification program used by business owners to verify the legal status of potential employees. It has drawn much opposition as well as support in its push through the House Judiciary Committee as the bill, HR 2885, also known as "The Legal Workforce Act".
The supporters as well as opponents of "The Legal Workforce Act" both have valid arguments, but the issue brings up much more discussion of immigration reform in the state of Texas. The requirement of E-Verify would ensure that employers in the state of Texas are following federal laws and would protect the employer against false information, but what would become of the millions of illegal workers in Texas who would no longer be able to find legitimate work? Would the countless legal citizens and residents of Texas who are currently unemployed step up to take these new open jobs that would be abandoned by the 7 million unauthorized workers?
The article is most interesting because it’s not just the simple pro’s and con’s of the E-Verify program, but how this simple program will bring about complicated issues and problems to tackle if it is required nationwide. It is a must read, because regardless of which stance you take on the issue, it will effect every one of us one way or another.
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