Jack Kingston

CONGRESSMAN KINGSTON’S IMMIGRATION REFORM PROGRAM EXTENDED
House extends program for five years

Congressman Jack Kingston (R/GA-1) today praised the passage of legislation that extends E-Verify.  The program, which allows employers to verify the legal working status of their employees, was slated to expire in November of this year.

“E-Verify is the first step towards ensuring the security of our workforce and ridding our nation of illegal workers,” Congressman Kingston said.  “It not only protects American jobs but helps protect us all from identity theft by ensuring that a job applicant’s social security number is their own.  I have always been concerned that this program would fade away in the bureaucratic maze of Washington.  The legislation passed today not only extends the program but it addresses concerns of costs and the impact on small businesses.”

Initiated by an act of Congress in 1997, E-Verify was originally only available in the five states with the highest illegal immigrant populations.  By December 2004, the program was extended to all fifty states.  Congressman Kingston, who has been a longtime supporter of the program, worked to include legislation in annual spending bills that would require all federal contractors to participate in the program.

“Illegal immigrants have been found working on military installations, government buildings, and even helping to build the border fence along our border with Mexico,” Congressman Kingston said.  “It is a threat to our national security that must be addressed.  With E-Verify, employers can submit an applicant’s information and know whether or not they’re legal within seconds.”

On June 6th, Congressman Kingston’s proposal became a federal requirement, when the President issued Executive Order 12989.  The action has tripled the number of requests processed through the program.

The legislation, H.R. 6633, was passed by a vote of 407-2 today.  It must now be taken up in the Senate before being signed into law.