House Judiciary Committee approves Legal Workforce Act

WASHINGTON -- The House Judiciary Committee approved the Legal Workforce Act this week. If it becomes law, the bill would mandate the use of E-Verify by all U.S. businesses within three years.

The Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 1174), introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), would require all U.S. employers to check the work eligibility of all future hires through the E-Verify system. The committee voted 20-13 vote to approve the bill.

The bill would repeal the current paper-based I-9 system and replace it with a completely electronic work eligibility check. It also requires the gradual phase-in of mandatory E-Verify participation for new hires in six month increments beginning on the date of enactment. Within six months of enactment, businesses having more than 10,000 employees are required to use E-Verify. Within 12 months of enactment, businesses having 500 to 9,999 employees are required to use E-Verify. Eighteen months after enactment, businesses having 20 to 499 employees must use E-Verify. And 24 months after enactment, businesses having 1 to 19 employees must use E-Verify.

Now that the bill has been approved by the committee, its next step is to be brought before the entire House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), an organization that unites over 70 organizations representing agricultural employers, issued a release voicing its opposition to the Legal Workforce Act.

The steering committee of the AWC consists of: American Farm Bureau Federation, AmericanHort, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, National Council of Agricultural Employers, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Milk Producers Federation, USA Farmers, U.S. Apple Association, United Fresh Produce Association, Western Growers Association, and Western United Dairymen.