Immigration Reform

SHRM Testifies on Employment Verification

On May 6, SHRM President and CEO Sue Meisinger testified before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security in support of a new employment verification system.  In her testimony presented on behalf of SHRM and the SHRM-led “HR Initiative for a Legal Workforce,” Meisinger urged Congress not to mandate use of a current system called “E-Verify,” and instead to pass H.R. 5515, the “New Employee Verification Act” (NEVA).  H.R. 5515 would create a new, more secure, accurate, and reliable employment verification system.

"The employers we represent are fully committed to the hiring of only work-authorized individuals through an effective, efficient electronic employment verification system," said Meisinger. "We believe effective employment verification is the lynchpin for true immigration reform. We also recognize that the current employment verification system is in need of real reform and is inadequate to meet current and future demands."

H.R. 5515, the "New Employee Verification Act" (NEVA), would replace the federal government's current employer verification process with a new electronic verification system.

Under the bill, employers would use the state "new hire" reporting process, which is currently utilized for child support enforcement, to confirm the work eligibility of new hires.  The Social Security Administration database would be used for U.S. citizens and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database would be used for non-U.S. citizens.

In addition, the bill would create a voluntary biometrics option that employers could choose to use for employee verification.  This system would include a standard background check and the collection of a "biometric" characteristic — such as a thumbprint — to secure an employee's identity and prevent the illegal use of a Social Security number, stolen or fraudulently-obtained driver's license, or altered identification documents.

SHRM launched an aggressive media effort to encourage support for NEVA.  For example, The Hill newspaper published an op-ed article by Sue Meisinger; a press conference was held with the sponsors of H.R. 5515 prior to the congressional hearing; print ads appeared in various Capitol Hill publications; and two radio ads were broadcast on Washington, DC's main news station.  To view an op-ed on the issue, click HERE.