feature story:
The Ongoing Controversy Over E-Verify
Department of Homeland Security Delays E-Verify Requirement for Contractors
Facing legal pressure from numerous trade groups, the U.S. government has delayed a federal mandate calling for federal contractors and subcontractors to use an Internet-based electronic verification system to confirm that prospective employees are legally eligible to work.
The original implementation date was set for January 15, 2009, but after the Chamber of Commerce filed its lawsuit, the USCIS moved the date out until February 20, 2009.
What Is E-Verify?
E-Verify is currently a voluntary program run by the United States government to help certify that employees hired by companies are legally authorized to work in the United States. Formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program, the program is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration.
The program was originally set to expire in November 2008. The expiration period reflects uncertainty in Congress about the accuracy and collateral consequences of the employment verification program.
The Latest Legal Activity
The Chamber’s lawsuit challenges the government’s use of a presidential executive order coupled with a federal procurement law to make E-Verify mandatory for federal contractors with projects exceeding $100,000 and for subcontractors with projects exceeding $3,000.
The Chamber also challenged expanding E-Verify to require the reauthorization of existing workers.
Joining the Chamber in the lawsuit are the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Society for Human Resources Management, the American Council on International Personnel and the HR Policy Association.
“This massive expansion of E-Verify is not only bad policy, it’s unlawful,” Robin Conrad, executive vice president of the National Chamber Litigation Center, said in a statement. “The administration can’t use an executive order to circumvent federal immigration and procurement laws. Federal law explicitly prohibits the secretary of Homeland Security from making E-Verify mandatory or from using it to reauthorize the existing work force.”
“The DHS intends to expand E-Verify on an unprecedented scale in a very short timeframe and to impose liability on government contractors who are unable to comply,” Randy Johnson, vice president of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits at the Chamber of Commerce, said in a December 24th statement. “Given the current economy, now is not the time to add more bureaucracy and billions of dollars in compliance costs to America’s businesses.”
Long-Term Controversy Over The E-Verify Program
Employer groups have long complained that E-Verify is too costly and imperfect to require use by federal contractors and subcontractors. The Chamber contends that only Congress, not a federal agency such as Homeland Security, has the legal authority to impose mandatory compliance.
The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, is Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. Chertoff, et al., and seeks to declare the executive order null and void. In response to President Bush’s June executive order calling for federal contractors to verify the legal work eligibility of their employees, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff designated E-Verify as the system of choice. Federal departments and agencies within the executive branch are already enrolling with E-Verify to check the status of all new hires within the federal work force. More than 69,000 employers currently rely on E-Verify to determine whether their new hires are authorized to work in the United States.
Next Steps
If you have further questions about how E-Verify affects your pre-employment screening programs, contact your Corporate Screening account representative today.
announcements:
Forget About the Oscars
Corporate Screening wins prestigious awards from industry watchdog and civic-minded publications alike
Corporate Screening Receives National Recognition as a Top Screening Provider
Corporate Screening has earned recognition as a Top Screening Service Provider by HRO Today magazine. In its annual examination of the outsourced employment screening market, HRO Today asked buyers about their outsourcing experience versus relying on industry input. As a result, the magazine feels this year’s list is a true reflection of clear industry leaders in both volume and quality of service. Corporate Screening was ranked third on the list.
“Our clients truly value the broad spectrum of services, the analysis of information and customized solutions that we offer,” said Dennis Drellishak, President and Founder of Corporate Screening. “Their input demonstrates that our combination of personalized customer service, cutting-edge technology and industry knowledge are among the best around, and we are appreciative of this great honor.”
HRO Today is the only publication dedicated to covering the outsourced HR services market and is read by 28,000 senior HR managers and executives involved in the selection, procurement, and delivery of services such as screening, payroll, benefits administration, recruitment, relocation and others.
For the entire article on Corporate Screening, visit www. corporatescreening.com/PressRelease/PressReleaseHRO. pdf
Corporate Screening Recognized as a 2009 NEO Success Award Winner for 2nd Consecutive Year
Corporate Screening also earned recognition as a 2009 NEO Success Award Winner for being one of the top performing companies in Northeast Ohio. The NEO Success Awards are presented annually by Inside Business magazine and Corporate Screening is proud to have achieved this distinction two years in a row.
“This award reflects our determination to grow and expand our business in a smart way that helps to revitalize Northeast Ohio’s economic status,” said Corporate Screening General Manager Greg Dubecky. Established in 1995 as a way to showcase the success of business in Northeast Ohio, the NEO Success Awards program recognizes the top-performing public and private companies for their growth in both revenue and number of employees over the past three years. Corporate Screening will be featured in the March 2009 issue of Inside Business, and recognized at an awards luncheon on March 19, 2009, at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.
Corporate Screening Honored For Fourth Time As One of Northeast Ohio’s 100 Fastest Growing Organizations
Furthermore, Corporate Screening was honored in December as a 2008 Weatherhead 100 Award Winner for being one of the 100 fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. “For four years our company has received the Weatherhead Award. I am proud of our people and our company for achieving such great growth in a slowing economy,” said Dennis Drellishak, President and Founder of Corporate Screening. Actual rankings will be released in December.
Since 1987, the Weatherhead 100 has showcased the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. Recognized organizations must demonstrate consistent growth over the previous five years. The Weatherhead 100 list is objectively determined and highly regarded throughout the region. It is branded as a testament to hard work, commitment, innovation, and the dream to succeed.
Thank you to our clients for a great year, we value your partnership and hope to continue to serve you and your business in the best way possible again in 2009.
cs client service news:
2008 Client Satisfaction Survey Results
Thank you again to everyone who took their time to complete the online 2008 Corporate Screening Client Satisfaction Survey last month. Highlights include:
-98% Overall Satisfaction
-98% Overall Satisfaction with CS Ease
-98% Rated CS Website Homepage Informative with Regard to Information and News, and 99% with Regard to Service Information
-97% Would Recommend Corporate Screening
Also, congratulations to Elizabeth Chape of Sacramento City College, who won a new iPod Nano in a random drawing of names of clients who filled out our survey.
We appreciate your insight and promise to continue providing the best service possible to our clients.
Go Green!
Is one of your new year's resolutions to be more environmentally conscious? Then let CS help you take the first step.
1) Have your invoice emailed instead of mailed. Email nprinz@corporatescreening. com with your request.
2) Email your background report requests instead of faxing. Contact CS Support at 800.229.8606 and select option 3.