U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) recently introduced federal legislation that would require employers to use E-Verify when hiring, a move designed to cut down on the employment of illegal immigrants.
Britt, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced the Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026, legislation that would permanently reauthorize the E-Verify program and require all employers in the United States to use it.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is also a cosponsor of the legislation with Britt.
The legislation would enhance civil and criminal penalties for employing illegal aliens, strengthen fraud prevention measures within the E-Verify program and prohibit states from blocking or preventing employers from using E-Verify.
According to Britt, the bill would hamper one of the largest incentives for illegal immigration: the ability to work in this country.
"If you come to this country illegally, you shouldn't be here to begin with, and you shouldn't be working in the United States," Britt said. "This legislation builds on Republicans' historic success in securing our border after four years of disastrous, America Last policies under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, by eliminating the largest magnet for illegal immigration."
She continued, "We should enforce the law and ensure jobs go to Americans, not illegal aliens. E-Verify works, evidenced by the more than 43 million times it was used in 2025 alone. This is a common-sense bill that everyone should be able to get on board with, and I will work diligently to usher this legislation through the Senate and get it to President Trump's desk."
Britt contends that E-Verify remains one of the most effective tools for verifying employment eligibility, claiming that estimates predict nearly 11 million illegal aliens in the American workforce.
“American jobs should be going to Americans,” said Tuberville. “The Trump Administration is working overtime to deport millions of criminals who came here illegally during the Biden administration, but we also need to remove the incentives that are encouraging illegals to invade our country. E-Verify is a proven tool that protects good-paying jobs for Americans and helps employers legally staff their businesses. It’s past time we are serious about enforcing all of our country’s immigration laws, especially when it comes to workforce participation. This bill is a win for small businesses, American workers, and the rule of law.”
In addition to Tuberville, U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) joined the legislation as cosponsors.
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