[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE LEGAL EMPLOYEE VERIFICATION ACT

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                          HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Legal 
Employee Verification Act and ask for its consideration and support. 
This bill overhauls the broken employment verification system we have 
today and replaces it with the mandatory, efficient, and transparent 
process our country needs.
  Today, too many working men and women are denied the job 
opportunities they deserve because it is more convenient for some 
employers to go around the system and hire an illegal immigrant. 
Employers who break the law should be held accountable, and the 
Employment Eligibility Confirmation System created by this bill will 
make it more difficult to evade our employment regulations. At the same 
time, business owners who play by the rules every day can rest assured 
that they are competing on a level playing field.
  Instead of dealing with a confusing process that often yields 
inconclusive results, if any, employers will quickly know the status of 
their prospective employees. Within as little as one day, an employer 
will know whether that person is eligible to work here in the United 
States. This efficient system will bring peace of mind to both 
employers and employees by giving definitive answers in reasonable 
periods of time.
  In addition, the Legal Employee Verification Act makes use of the 
technology used in our nation's immigration documents.
  This critical security upgrade currently helps fight identity fraud 
and gives security officials a new tool to protect our country from 
those who seek to do us harm. Now this upgrade will also discourage 
illegal immigrants from using falsified documents to secure jobs here, 
giving our law-abiding workforce a fair shot at every job available.
  I don't fault people for wanting to come to live and work in America. 
It's a great place to live and raise a family. All I ask is that they 
do it legally.
  Madam Speaker, it's time we get serious about enforcing our 
immigration and employment laws. The Legal Employee Verification Act 
will give us important new tools to do just that. It's common-sense 
policy, and I'm proud to introduce this bill for consideration.

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