FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE – July 15, 2011

HOUSE APPROVES REP. NUNNELEE’S E-VERIFY AMENDMENT

Amendment included in FY 2012 Energy and Water Funding Bill

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2354, the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.  The bill includes Rep. Alan Nunnelee’s amendment, adopted by the full Appropriations Committee, that would prohibit any federal agency funded by the bill to hire an employee that is not verified through the E-Verify Program.

“With 9.2% of Americans out of work, I am pleased to see the E-Verify language approved by my colleagues in the House,” said Nunnelee.  “Over 22 million Americans search for work on a daily basis, while research estimates that over 7 million U.S. jobs are held by illegal aliens.  This is a common-sense amendment that simply uses the appropriations process to enforce the E-Verify system that is currently in place.

“Illegal employment is a contributing factor to our nation’s current debt problem.   In these harsh economic times, it is important to make sure illegal aliens are not in the workforce.  U.S. jobs should go to legal workers,” concluded Nunnelee.

The E-Verify Program is an existing and authorized voluntary program that enables employers to verify the name, Social Security Number and alien identification number (for non-citizens) of newly hired employees.

Amendment to Energy and Water Appropriations Bill offered by Congressman Alan Nunnelee:

“None of the funds made available under this Act may be expended for any new hire by any Federal agency funded in this Act that is not verified through the E-Verify Program established under section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).”

Congressman Alan Nunnelee represents Mississippi’s First Congressional District and serves on the House Appropriations Committee. He is a member of the Immigration Reform Caucus.

 This is his first term.

# # #