Democrats' hearing criticizes mandatory E-Verify bill

[pampango]

Source: Miami Herald

Advocates for farmers and farm workers warned federal lawmakers Tuesday against a mandatory employee-verification program, underscoring the high hurdles ahead.

While the Republican-controlled House of Representatives pursues the so-called mandatory E-Verify program, the Democratic-controlled Senate is leery. A hearing Tuesday seemed designed to demonstrate the Senate's skepticism as well as E-Verify's alleged dangers.

Nassif joined Arturo Rodriguez, the president of the United Farm Workers of America, and others Tuesday in urging the Senate Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee to resist the House's mandatory nationwide E-Verify proposal. Politically speaking, they were preaching to the choir.

Last month, on a party-line vote, the House Judiciary Committee approved the mandatory E-Verify bill. It has yet to come to the House floor. The bill would phase in participation over two years and would cover new hires rather than current workers.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/10/04/2438412/democrats-hearing-criticizes-mandatory.html

[snooper2]

1. Taco Bell proudly uses E-Verify (or so the sign told me)

it was right above this sign...

[alp227]

12. So being a citizen/permanent resident is NOT a requirement for legal employment now?

Huh? So is this why illegal immigrants are used for cheap labor?

[snooper2]

14. That's what was throwing me off with that sign...

I was standing there reading it like WTF?

Anybody can work here any status?

[Vattel]

2. I hope they kill it.

I have no idea whether Obama would veto it; so I hope Schumer can kill it in the Senate.

[defendandprotect]

3. All other nations have IMMEDIATE verification systems in place .... what's argument against this?

[earthside]

4. I'm all for it.

Let's get this straightened out: unless you have a document to be here, then you shouldn't be here.

Now, we need a legal and efficient migrant worker program so the poor people from south of the border can come and pick our produce for us (you know, the jobs we won't do).

But, the national Chamber of Commerce's idea for virtual open borders -- so that the cost of labor can be driven down to the floor -- has got to be defeated.

E-verify is a good step to take ... and then we won't need a fence and an army on the border.

[defendandprotect]

8. Well, I do think that there's a poor point in starting with "pickers" -- !!

But it should be effecting every business in America --

especially places like Walmart -- !!

In fact, weren't some of these companies hiding illegal cleaning staff?

And, let's get serious about putting American businessmen in jail if their hire

undocumented workers.

[SoapBox]

6. Ya know...I have to agree.

I am a Dem...Lib...Progressive...however, I am "coming out of the closet" on this issue.

While I really want the populace of the world, to live a decent life...and get a living wage...I've
not been so keen on millions that have come into America. Mind you, when I hear a GOPBagger talk the
issue, I hear code for Hate the Brown People. In my mind, ANYONE of any color, creed, blah, blah, blah
from ANY country, that is here illegally, needs to be dealt with.

Do we need comprehensive reforms to allow them to become Americans if they chose? You 'betcha! Do we
need a better system to allow them to work, legally, even if they do not wish to give up their original
citizenship? Yes, I would be in favor of that as well.

But, I am also in favor of verifying a persons legitimacy. That they are indeed, legal to work here and just plain old be here. I know that many working in crappy jobs (jobs I most certainly don't want) are doing it because that is
what they could get (and, thank you, because most of those jobs need to be done) BUT...you need to
be here doing those crappy jobs, legally.

So...e-verify? I'm in favor. D.C...make sure it works and it works correctly.

Hey, D and P...I look for your posts...you do good.

[benld74]

5. GOP being OK with this is ANOTHER bandaid approach to a much LARGER ISSUE

[radical noodle]

7. E-Verify does work

We've been using it in our office for about a year, and it's easy to use and quickly identifies anyone who is a citizen. I do not know how easily it works for those with work permits or other legal rights to be here, but there is a procedure that must be taken if someone doesn't get the okay. The worker has a right to appeal/protest and prove they're legal. We're a union company so it's highly unlikely that we will get anyone who is here illegally, so I'll probably never know if that process works the way it should.

What I hate is this push to shove their kids out of schools, arrest them if they look different, or otherwise harass them as they go about their daily lives. Most are only here because they couldn't survive where they were.

[defendandprotect]

9. Agree ... good idea -- but a strange place to start in the fields, imo ....

that's what I think might shove this over into overall attack on immigrants

column -- but I don't know enough about the agricultural companies -- granted

it's important work -- and hard labor.

Someone will have the full story on this -- eventually! :)

[MH1]

11. it's been in place in a lot of workplaces for a while now

I think it started with federal contractors.

So, I don't think they are starting in the fields.

[defendandprotect]

13. It's a good and obvious remedy -- long needed -- often hear Hartmann talking about it !!

Obviously field workers are quite different from any other labor --

[snooper2]

15. Did you know folks who question the PTB to much are sent to field work?

[Yo_Mama]

10. Given the extreme shortage of jobs and declining wages

I don't think this is a bad idea. Illegal immigration has been used to drive down wages in the US and loosen pressure on employers to maintain better working conditions, and that should stop. All too many employers like having people here illegally because they are somewhat helpless.

I am also in favor of greatly expanding our residency permit system and setting up some sort of grandfathering system so that an employer could attest that they had hired so and so two or three years ago and then the employee could get a legal work permit and legal temporary residence permit (which should also allow the person to look for another job, get a legal drivers license etc).

It's been obvious to me for some time that businesses were profiting off this and like the situation the way it was, but I don't think it is working for the country, for the workers themselves or for the common good.

And I think we need to stop the illegal immigration so we can get wages rising again.

The current system is hurting everyone.