[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6544-S6545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INS EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION PILOT PROJECT

 Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, at the end of May, the Immigration 
and Naturalization Service and a consortium of meatpacking companies 
announced an innovative pilot project in which the companies will 
voluntarily verify the employment eligibility of noncitizens who seek 
employment.
  I commend the meatpacking industry, specifically IBP and BeefAmerica

[[Page S6545]]

in Nebraska, as well as companies elsewhere in recognizing that the 
jobs they offer are a major draw for immigrants, some of whom are not 
in the country legally, and for taking the initiative to help root out 
those who are not eligible to work. The meatpacking industry wants to 
hire legal workers; this industry is also well aware of how difficult a 
task that can be given the availability of forged documents. The 
Employment Verification Pilot will test, across an entire industry, a 
hiring system that has already demonstrated success in smaller pilot 
projects.
  In a relatively short period of time we should expect that the word 
will spread: Nebraska and other States with good job opportunities will 
keep the welcome mat out for those authorized to work, but will shut 
the door to those who are not. The participating companies together 
employ about 56,000 workers at 48 sites in 10 States. Participation by 
these employers ensures that about 80 percent of the meatpacking 
industry will be covered.
  I also commend the INS for their response to an issue of utmost 
importance to the country--protecting American jobs and continuing 
efforts to reduce the primary incentive for illegal immigration--the 
job magnet. I also want to laud the INS for recognizing the usefulness 
of a voluntary system. By participating with employers in fashioning 
the program, the INS has forged a partnership that will lead to 
success.
  The process is simple. Employers who volunteer to participate can 
quickly verify with INS, through a computer, whether their newly hired, 
noncitizen employees are authorized to work. In most cases, 
verification will be received in minutes. Through quick verification, 
this project cracks down on illegal employment while protecting the 
rights of legal immigrant workers.
  I believe this pilot project has the potential to restore American's 
faith in the legal immigration system and I look forward to the 
evaluation of the program after it has gotten off the ground. I also 
look forward to continue working with INS and employers to ensure that 
Americans jobs are protected and available for those who are in the 
United States legally.

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