E-Verify absent from immigration policy talks

Nobody in the heated debate over border security and illegal immigration is talking about requiring businesses to check whether workers are in the country legally.

The omission belies broad agreement that mandatory use of E-Verify, the government’s online system to confirm workers’ legal status, would dramatically reduce illegal immigration by turning off America’s jobs magnet.

In the past, President Trump and Senate Democrat Leader Charles E. Schumer both advocated for mandatory E-Verify with tough enforcement measures to block immigrants from working in the U.S. illegally.

They said it would remove the incentive for the vast majority of border jumpers who come looking for work and potentially would encourage some to return to their home countries.

The White House and Schumer’s office refused to answer The Washington Times’ questions about it.

“Both sides like the status quo,” said Kevin Lynn, executive director of Progressives for Immigration Reform.

He faulted Democrats for coddling immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to solidify support from Hispanic voters and Republicans for siding with businesses that want to exploit cheap labor.

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