On April 4, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a controversial immigration bill that gives employers more options to verify the status of new hires. The panel voted 5-2 to approve an amended version of the Senate's immigration package (SB 2040) that allows employers to use alternatives to the federal E-Verify system by allowing employers to accept other types of documentation to determine if an applicant or newly hired employee is residing in the country legally and eligible to work.
Another amendment added to the bill also relaxed requirements for state corrections and law enforcement officials by making it optional for them to enter agreements with the Department of Homeland Security to undergo training and be authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.
The Senate version differs markedly from a House proposal (HB 7089) that also requires law enforcement officers to attempt to determine the immigration status of suspects in a criminal investigation or following an arrest if there is reason to believe the defendant is in the country illegally. SB 2040 is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Budget Committee on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.
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