E-Verify (H 7463, S 2030)

The ACLU of Rhode Island testified in March before the House Labor committee in support of legislation expressly keeping participation in the E-Verify program voluntary. The ACLU noted that E-Verify continues to be an error-prone system that disproportionately disqualifies legal workers with Hispanic and Arabic last names, is used by employers to discriminate against potential workers, and fails to prevent undocumented workers from obtaining employment. In March, the ACLU gave similar testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee in opposition to legislation requiring the use of E-Verify by virtually all Rhode Island employers. Neither bill received a committee vote.