Mandatory Use of Employment Eligibility Verification Continues to Advance in Senate

On Friday, March 6, SB 664 (Lee), was taken up on second reading by the full Senate. The bill was amended to require that all private employers use either the Department of Homeland Security E-Verify system or the documents required by Form I-9 to determine work eligibility for all new employees. The amendment also provides that the Department of Economic Opportunity shall conduct audits and investigate complaints of suspected improper employment. Employers would be required to turn over employment documents when requested by state prosecutors or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement without warrant or probable cause.

While all public employers are already required to use E-Verify and private employers must already obtain I-9 documents, the position of the Catholic Conference is that the expansion of employment eligibility verification only makes sense as part of federal comprehensive immigration efforts that also address the root causes of migration and increase the number of employment based visas, among other necessary reforms. As such, the FCCB opposes this state level, enforcement only proposal.
 
A vote on the amended Senate bill is expected early next week. The companion, HB 1265 (Byrd), remains on the Special Order Calendar in the House.