Lancaster requires businesses to do immigration checks on new hires

Businesses operating in the city of Lancaster will be required to ensure that all their new hires are eligible to work in the United States by using an Internet-based federal program to check the immigration and employment eligibility of potential workers.

The free online program, called E-Verify, allows participating employers to use federal databases to compare information provided by job seekers with millions of records kept by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

“We are working to ensure that all available jobs in our city go to hard-working, law-abiding citizens,” Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said in a statement, noting that tough economic times had led to 17% unemployment in the Antelope Valley.

By adopting the E-Verify program, businesses in Lancaster will join a growing number of companies nationwide that use federal data to confirm the eligibility of potential new hires. According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 175,000 employers are enrolled in the program, which is compulsory for companies that contract with the federal government.

More than 8.5 million queries were run through the system in fiscal year 2009, government statistics indicate. And so far in fiscal year 2010, there have been more than 2.5 million queries. Although some states, such as Arizona, have mandated the use of E-Verify, in California the program is voluntary.

Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services show there are at least 11,000 California companies, including restaurants, hospitals and temporary-employment agencies, enrolled in the program.

In August, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to explore the possibility of requiring future contractors to participate in E-Verify. These could include drug-treatment facilities, construction companies and foster-family agencies.

Critics of the program argue that it could lead to racial profiling and inappropriate firings causes by mistakes in the federal databases. But supporters believe the increased scrutiny of potential new hires could help diminish the presence of illegal immigrants in the workforce.

Companies that do not comply with Lancaster’s ordinance requiring the use of E-Verify risk having their business license revoked, officials said. “It is absolutely essential that our local businesses comply with the law when choosing whom to employ,” said Parris.

-- Ann M. Simmons

Comments

[tim]

Wow! A politician with GUTS!!

This guy, Mr.Parris should run for Governor!

[Jane Taxpayer]

Bravo Mr. Parris! It's about time someone stood up for those of us who actually pay taxes in this country. I can't believe this isn't already the law in the entire state!

[mznomer]

Absolutely wonderful.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. for providing state & national leadership on the long-festering problem of the employment of improperly documented workers.!

[steve1]

Great. Glad to see companies weeding out the illegals.
More needs to be done. Hopefully the illegals will self deport. American jobs for American citizens. We are desperate.

[Millie]

What is it about California legislators that they cant see the 12+% unemployment numbers in the state, a deficit that is growing out of control consistently, and more and more Americans seeking social welfare to keep afloat because they have no jobs?

If there are any elected officials paying attention to this article. Maybe, just maybe mandating e-Verify will get more citizens hired, which will bring in more state taxes, which will reduce the welfare rolls.

We feel for Mexico, and other countries that are not attempting to provide for its own citizens, but does it make since for the US to do the same to its own people to accommodate those countries citizens?

American companies are shipping good paying jobs to other countries, while our elected officials continue to encourage illegal hiring by not mandating e-verify, shielding companies that do it, and protecting those that seek them.

PLEASE ELECTED OFFICIALS, HELP AMERICANS GET WORK e-Verify

[Randy L. AZ Resident]

Thank you City of Lancaster. And if L.A. joins in, I'll be extremely happy.

[Carl McGinnis]

I hope they keep in mind that everyone is not illegal.

I am a citizen of the United States and I have a friend that is from
Paris, France here on a student visa to finish his degree. Noureddine
Feddane has been here since 2005. His visa is valid until March of
2010, his passport is valid until 2014, and his I-20 is current. He is
not what people call an 'illegal immigrant.' In 2008, he fell in love
and married a U.S. citizen that just happens to be addicted to
prescription medications. Noureddine knew nothing about this. But he
was arrested due to her mistakes.
He was placed in detention and scheduled for deportation. My friend
has been in detention center in Pompano Beach Florida for 5 months
now. This couple has lost all there savings on lawyers, she lost her
job, and they are in the process of losing their home. All this was
caused because ICE has the wrong person in jail.

I have written many letters to Janet Napolitano, Senator Bill Nelson,
Representative Ginny Brown-Waite and even President Obama. But no one
will listen. What is illegal in this case is the way DHS is treating
this guy, who is 51 and has never had a traffic violation. While in
detention center, they have abused him, denied him food and proper
medical treatment. Noureddine is diabetic and they will not give him
the proper food or medical attention. The phone system is very poor
and hardly works. I suspect that they plan it that way so the
detainees cannot contact their lawyers and family. I fear he will be
next on the long list of persons that have died while in detention.

Until you go to one of these detention centers and see with your own
eyes, you will not believe what America is doing. I was shocked, on my
first visit and after almost 6 months of seeing what happens and how
they have to live, I am still in shock. It is all about the money
. My friend has never
cost America anything until they locked him up. He is in a private
prison owned by a company called GEO
based near Miami, Florida. They are paid very well by our tax dollars,
but the treatment is unbelievable. I wonder how many politicians have
stock in this company. They are doing quite well even in a bad
economy.

Six months ago I had no idea that we treated immigrants in this way,
especially when they are here legally and have done nothing wrong. I
knew nothing about ICE and how they operate illegally
. I was under
the impression that DHS was here only to protect us from terrorists.
And I had no idea of the millions of our tax dollars were being wasted
to imprison people that could be out of detention and have their
family support them until a decision is made in immigration court. I
do not understand why we have to pay our hard earned tax dollars to
house and feed persons that are not dangerous.

When they have to lock up a man who has done nothing wrong, make him
spend thousands in fees, ICE is giving way too much importance to
themselves. How can we turn such educated people away simply to boost
the ego of ICE officers and add another number to the Janet Napolitano
deportation list, so that the Obama Administration can look like it is
doing its job of 'cracking down on criminals?'

Something has to change soon. I feel it is my duty as an American to
let as many people as possible know the truth. I visit the detention
center every Saturday and spend the rest of the week writing letters.
This Christmas, let’s do something worthwhile. Let’s go back to
protecting the country rather than making up stories to justify the
expansion of a national security complex. Let’s end businesses
profiting from immigrant detention and restore our image as a nation
of immigrants.

[US Citizen]

Business everywhere should be held to check and inform officials if applicants and new hires are "illegal". This should have been a policy for decades now when companies do backround and record checks. Now that the system is over populated they want to inforce being US Citizen and checking docs.... I love my country but it's so disappointing and pathetic for these kinds of negligent rules/results.

[Mara]

Well a big round of applause to Lancaster!!! Who'd have thought that ANY municipality in CA would have the cajones to stand up to the ethno-centric illegal immigration lobby?!

Good job, Mayor Parris, and thanks.

[Melissa]

FINALLY!

[Boca Condo King]

I see on the front page you also have a story about x gang members counseling youths who face "bleak prospects".

If we choose as a country to enforce immigration laws, then the prospects of the least among us will increase tremendously.

With out enforcement being sure and constant, we cannot expect businesses to hire legal workers, when illegal workers are ready to do the same job better for lower cost.

Finally, if you cannot pass E Verify to get a job, that is a problem. But it is a problem that needs to be fixed in any case. If your name and SS# does not match, you will have trouble getting government benefits (like unemployment, disability, retirement and medicaid/care) when you need them.

[jeff]

Good job LANCASTER!!!

[Santamonicaandy]

Ok let me get this straight. Use the e-verify to ensure that only US Citizens get jobs and if they don't comply revoke the business license? Since when are local governments enforcing Immigration Laws? As long as the business is paying a legal wage the city should keep its nose out of private enterprise.

[Richard Ivey]

Let's see the mayor take an equal interest in promoting economic growthand business investment in the city as opposed to focusing on basic instincts. Playing the immigration game is usually aimed at self-promotion and photo-ops.

[Spewie McDermott]

What about the thousands of illegals... OOOPS!, 'undocumenteds' that are already employed?

Si SePuede!

[bruce]

" Critics of the program argue that it could lead to racial profiling and inappropriate firings causes by mistakes in the federal databases. "

- If you are innocent, then prove it. We have too many illegals here now. Notice how California has the worst economic status out of all the states. The strain on our system is too much.

- Why should an illegal immigrant obtain a job before a citizen or someone here legally?

[John]

It's about time cities begin to enforce this. With unemployment as high as it is, all employers in California should be forced to use this E-verify system. Thiumbs up to Lancaster!!!

[anon]

See how easy that is? LA is a joke.

[paulm]

Though there are countless examples of cities doing this and then realizing that what sounds like a good idea ends up being a tax revenue nightmare, ultimately this type of legislature is the most humane way of dealing with future illegal immigrants: don't make it feasible to come here in the first place. Two questions though: Who else is willing to work for $8.00 per hour, no benefits and how much more are you willing to pay for a service or restaurant meal so that these employers can offer their workers a wage and benefits that can sustain a citizen?

I'm still interested in the Guest Worker Visa program. It would help provide us this cheap labor and limit the criminal element coming across our borders. When times improve, the number of workers can be increased. Perhaps those guests who prove productive can eventually be offered help in seeking citizenship. This would be a carrot that would encourage people to enter this country legally, too.

[L.A. Max]

The primary reason undocumented workers, illegal aliens, and migrant workers are hired amount three simple reasons:

1. They are perceived to work harder than native-born citizens

2. They come cheaper than native-born and naturalized citizens

3. They can be cheated out of what little pay they can get.

E-verify is a joke as applied to Lancaster.

The only jobs located in Lancaster are retail, fast food, and car lots. Few, if any, people who work in Lancaster can afford to live there. Lancaster's has deeper issues unrelated to illegal aliens.

Most of the middle class who live in Lancaster works outside of Lancaster. They commute hours away to the Inland Empire, Orange County, and Ventura County.

150 years of history instructs us that so long as there is a demand for cheap labor combined with the willingness of consumers to patronize businesses that hire that cheap labor, we will have what we have today.

[elissa]

I just want to point out one major misconception:

This program has nothing to do with hiring people who will pay taxes, as opposed to people who do not.

Currently when illegals are hired, it is up to them to show an ID and social security card and pay payroll taxes on that ss#. If that name and ss# do not match up on federal records, they receive no tax refunds or benefits, and that adds to a federal fund that is growing at about $5B a year.

The only difference with e-verify is that we will be hiring people who DO match up, who will be able to claim the tax benefits.

[RobertR]

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa should do this as well, and step up to the plate to help the U.S. citizens who voted him in with the unemployment crisis. But I doubt if he will, he doesn't think Americans should have a priority to jobs in our own country before illegal immigrants.

[Chris]

@ Carl McGinnis, touching story, but did you ever think for a moment, that maybe there is something in your friends past that they are not sharing with you, that has come up?

The fact of the matter sir, too many residents that came here with good intentions have simply taken the system for granted, live here for decades, have children, but never attempt to integrate into the American fabric. Most are still under educated, require free services, pay little in taxes, use up resources purposed for American citizens protecting them from falling through the cracks, etc.

My wife came here on a visa as well, learned English, got her education, has a great career, became a citizen, and live as an American, not some hyphenated American Immigrant, on her rear view mirror, there is an American pendant, not a Mexican flag or other non US national monument.

You cant keep taking and adding nothing in return, and expect Americans to support it, our schools, hospitals, freeways, highways, jobs, social services, and judicial systems have all taken a major blow from the influx, and what we get in return is mass marches demanding more.

If these people took the same proactive stances in their nations of origin, it would probably be a better place, where they would not have to flee looking for work. Its a slap in the face of every sympathetic American, to demand Americans sacrifice more for them, when they dont demand more from their own governments.

[Jimi]

Los Angeles would never institute E-Verify. The Mexican mayor would not allow it. If it were used, the place would empty out as most residents are illegal aliens.

A better solution would be to build a large fence around it and create a large prison like in the movie, "Escape From LA". That could kill two birds with one stone.

[Jim Q. Citizen]

Hats off to Mayor Paris and the fine city of Lancaster! I'm sure the mayor of Los Angeles is having a cow just about now. I'd like to help Tony out but-
I DON'T KNOW NOTHIN' 'BOUT BIRTHIN' NO COWS.